Campaign committee discussion sparks exchange

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At the May 7 Board of Governors meeting, President Thomas J. Basting Sr. ad-dressed the impact of a recent initiative, the Judicial Campaign Integrity Committee.

In the aftermath of another contentious Supreme Court race where less than 20 percent of voters turned out, Basting said the committee will focus on educating the public prior to next year’s election.

He hopes to develop a public forum to discuss such topics as merit selection, public financing and recusal standards this fall in Madison.

“Voters showed they clearly have little interest in the Supreme Court election,” said Basting. “We want to get people talking and looking at these issues.”

Basting was especially critical of the legal community for not voicing their distaste for the negative campaign tools used in this year’s race.

“I didn’t see lawyers come forward and say, ‘What the hell is wrong here?’” said Basting.

“Frankly, I was embarrassed by that.”

But other board members said the committee’s actions were more of an embarrassment to the State Bar. Gov. Daniel F. Rinzel, who is a member of the Non-Resident Lawyers Division, applauded Basting’s effort, but said the end result hurt the State Bar’s image.

“I think it ended up looking like the [State] Bar was an issue in the campaign and that’s not a good thing,” said Rinzel.

Basting said he respected the criticism, but indicated he never intended the committee to become speech police.

“Was it an embarrassment to the [State] Bar? I don’t think so,” said Basting.

Basting added that he is not sure what shape the committee will take in the future, given its need for a permanent funding source and the potential that membership may change.

Access to Justice Will Return

President-elect Diane S. Diel also presented a revised proposal to establish an Access to Justice Commission. More than one year ago, the board adopted recommendations contained in a report to help provide more legal assistance for poor people in Wisconsin.

Since then, a $1 million allotment was included in the state’s biennium budget and ready for dissemination among several legal service providers in the state. Attorney Dean R. Dietrich said the check from the government is expected as early as July 1.

At its June 27 meeting, the board will vote on whether or not a permanent commission should be established. A new wrinkle in the proposal states that the State Bar will provide funding and staff for the commission for the first three years.

“By then, it will have to justify itself,” said Diel, who added that no permanent funding solutions have been discussed with the state judiciary or Legislature.

The State Bar will invest $20,000 in start-up costs and an additional $50,000-$60,000 during the second and third year. Bar funding will come from a $300,000 reserve fund.

Gov. Gwendolyn G. Connolly questioned whether or not the project can proceed without some indication from state officials that financial support will be available in three years.

“Without any specifications, are we just subject to the whims of the Legislature and the courts to pony up money?” said Connolly.