Wisconsin Patriot Coalition
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The Wisconsin Patriot Coalition (WPC) is a Tea Party- affiliated coalition of several Wisconsin right-wing groups. WPC’s President Kim Simac is challenging Jim Holperin for State Senate in the 2011 recall election. The WPC strongly supports Governor Scott Walker’s agenda and coordinates with national Tea Party groups such as Americans for Prosperity and American Majority. The WPC strongly supports Governor Scott Walker’s agenda and coordinates with national Tea Party groups such as Americans for Prosperity and American Majority. [1] The WPC supports the Voter ID Bill, Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill and supported the candidacy of Supreme Court Justice David Prosser. [2] The WPC also organized transportation to Tea Party rallies in Wisconsin’s capitol, Madison.
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Voter ID Bill
The WPC believes the current Voter I.D. bill “would provide an important first step in comprehensive voting reform and reduce a substantial risk of identity theft currently posed by loose voting policy in Wisconsin.” [1] However, the bill would disproportionally disenfranchise students, the elderly, and low-income rural voters, many of whom might be expected to vote for Democrats. “There are 175,000 citizens over the age of 65 who do not have driver’s license and 70% of them are women,” said Wisconsin State Senator Bob Jauch. “ Most of the elderly have been responsible voters for over half a century but now they are being told they must get a ride at least 50 miles round trip to obtain an identification card.” [3]
According to Madison’s Isthmus newspaper, requiring that voters show a Wisconsin state ID would disenfranchise many students. For example, a student’s driver’s license may reflect the address at their parents’ home, not their university address, or out-of-state students may have residency in Wisconsin, but their driver’s license from another state is still valid. In any case, Department of Motor Vehicle offices may be distant from campuses, and students would likely save the $28 license renewal fee on living expenses. Though there is an option to get a free ID with one’s current address, it would still be hard for a student because they change addresses annually.” [4] Some have pointed out that WPC’s position on voter ID is at odds with their position that “stripping away unnecessary and burdensome regulation” is beneficial for the state. [1]
Gov. Walker and his Budget Bill
After Governor Walker took office, the WPC commended him on eliminating the health savings accounts tax, “expanding tax credits friendly to business, and reforming Wisconsin’s tort policy.” During the height of the Wisconsin 2011 protests, WPC published several press releases supporting Gov. Scott Walker’s budget plans and organized transportation to Tea Party counter-rallies. WPC described Walker’s goal to make Wisconsin a more business friendly climate “heartening.”[5]
Wisconsin Elections 2011
The Wisconsin Patriot Coalition backed Justice David Prosser during the 2011 elections in Wisconsin and organized meetings where Prosser discussed his campaign and judicial philosophies. The Rock River Patriots referred to Prosser as “the only judicial conservative” that was running for re-election. [6]
Sourcewatch resources
External resources
Contact
Rock River Patriots
email: rockriverpatriots@gmail.com
phone: 920-650-1260
Rock River Patriots
P.O.Box 131
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
North Woods Patriots
Email: northwoodspatriots@gmail.com
Web: www.northwoodspatriots.com
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Northwoods Patriots Comprehensive Voter Reform Northwoods Patriots, Feb 9, 2011
- ↑ Rock River Patriots Welcome Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser Rock River Patriots Blog, February 10, 2011
- ↑ Bob Jauch GOP VOTER ID BILL UNNECESSARY, WILL DISENFRACHISE LEGAL VOTERS Wisconsin Government, Jan. 27, 2011
- ↑ Alison Bauter Wisconsin Students Take Aim at Voter ID Bill Isthmus, Feb. 17, 2011
- ↑ Northwoods Patriots WPC Congratulates Governor Walker BlogSpot, February 2, 2011
- ↑ Rock River Patriots The Rock River Patriots Welcome Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser Rock River Patriots Blog. February 10, 2011
