Gov. Jim Doyle signed legislation Tuesday providing public financing for eligible Supreme Court candidates who abide by a $400,000 spending limit.
The ""Impartial Justice"" bill makes Wisconsin the third state to create a public financing fund for judicial elections. According to a statement from the watchdog group the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, North Carolina and New Mexico also have public financing systems.
Doyle said limiting the influence of interest groups is an important way to keep Supreme Court elections and cases impartial. The legislation requires special interest groups who campaign on behalf of candidates to disclose their donors.
""This legislation is an important campaign finance reform that will ensure impartiality and public confidence in our state's highest court. I have long championed this reform and I am proud to finally sign it into law today,"" Doyle said in a statement.
Doyle also signed a bill Tuesday strengthing dog-breeding regulations and nine other bills.
