In an attempt to stop illicit campaigning activity at the state Capitol, lawmakers and regulators agreed last week to abolish the offices of the state's legislative caucuses.
The four caucuses, which formally served the Democratic and Republican sides of the state Senate and Assembly, will close by Jan. 1, with other changes to take place before Nov. 1, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
The change comes in response to a May Wisconsin State Journal investigation that uncovered evidence of a long history of caucus workers engaging in campaign activities while at work, thus violating state ethics and campaign finance laws.
Originally, the caucus offices were created decades ago to help legislative leaders research issues. To compensate for the loss of personnel after the caucuses close, a change approved last Thursday will double the size of legislative leaders' staffs, the State Journal reported.
