MONEY
How does WMC spend its money? How much did WMC spend on lobbying legislators? Who does WMC's Board of Directors support with contributions? How much do WMC's ad campaigns cost?
The offices of the state's largest business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, reside just over the hill from the State Capitol, but its influence extends to all corners of Wisconsin.
WMC spends millions to influence the three branches of state government.
WMC has spent over $6 million just this decade alone to convince the state legislature to do its pro-corporate bidding – over 50,000 hours of lobbying from its arsenal of wing-tipped capitol foot soldiers.
Its board members are active and aggressive donors to political campaigns, supporting predominately conservative and Republican candidates. It also has a healthy Political Action Committee.
WMC also dominates spending on issue advocacy, attacking progressive candidates with smear ads and bolstering conservative candidates will to hew to its narrow, anti-middle class agenda. Its ads single-handedly got Annette Ziegler and Michael Gableman elected to the state Supreme Court – changed the court from a moderate body to an actively conservative, pro-corporate majority.
