Update: Work Has Begun On The Fitzgerald Project

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Just letting my readers know that I've begun spending more time working on building a list of local businesses that have donated heavily to Scott Walker and local republicans. What I found in a random sampling of 30 businesses in Janesville was both disheartening yet promising. Disheartening to find that a solid majority of the businesses in Janesville that do contribute to politicians are not only heavy and steady donors to GOP candidates, but that only a handful donate to both candidates. Of the few "republican" businesses that do cross over and donate to democrats, the amounts given are not even close. There is a clear and wide disparity. I knew this was a problem among Forward Janesville's membership, but I had no idea how much the republican establishment have local democrats over a barrel when it comes to cash support. It's huge. They're just throwing scraps to the democrats. For those voters who follow local politics closely, there will be few surprises.

Instead of only posting a list of businesses, I'll also be posting the amounts they donated to Scott Walker and rate the donor's political rigidity with a 1 to 4 star rating system. But I won't be using stars. At the same time I'll be limiting the list to key contributors only. I'll also post separate lists of donors for the three republicans that were elected to local assembly seats. That's the promising part. The working poor and middle class wage earners will be able to see whether or not our hard earned spending dollars have been working against us. You'll be able to make a smart choice on whether to allow it to continue or not.

I originally intended on calling this endeavor the Fitzgerald Response Project in honor of State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald for his bold-faced remark that the budget bill should go a long way to help defunding the democratic caucus and their contribution base. I will have to thank him someday. But I've changed the name and also came up with a logo that I'll think you'll find both positive and cool. That alone has taken nearly a week. It'll be at least another 2-3 weeks to put it all together. I'll post the name and logo sometime along the way to keep you in suspense. I think it'll be well worth it.

Firefighters: "Move Your Money" Out From M&I Bank

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Dane 101 Excerpt:
When the firefighters arrived at the Capitol this morning they started the chant "MOVE YOUR MONEY!" Firefighters Local 311 President Joe Conway told the audience they should move their money out of M&I Bank. The bank was one of the leading contributors to the Walker campaign due to contributions by current and former executives and board members.

DailyKos Excerpt:
Firefighters in Wisconsin marched to the M&I bank earlier today in Madison and withdrew their money. In total they took an estimated $192,000. They asked others to follow their lead. Apparently others did.

Just updated:
A call to M&I's Capitol Square branch confirms the bank is closed for the rest of the day.

Read letter from public employee consortium to M&I here.

Firefighters: Move Your Money