Government Integrity
I believe that honesty and integrity are essential leadership qualities and are central in a true democracy. As a member of the House of Representatives, I know that it is my duty to represent constituents with these qualities in mind. Recent scandals have revealed that cronyism and corruption has vastly eroded the public’s faith in our democratic system.
Approval rates for Congress are at the lowest they have been in a decade. I am disappointed that so few Americans are confident in their elected officials, yet I understand why. We must take action to rebuild the public’s trust and support.
IN-DEPTH: Press Releases | Legislation | Links
BACK TO TOP
Beloit Casino
I strongly support the pending application of the Bad River and St. Croix Bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa to build a casino in Beloit. The project, which has been strongly endorsed by the community, will have a significant positive impact on the area economy. The extensive environmental assessment that was conducted by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, confirmed the many positive benefits associated with this project and the lack of any significant negative impact.
I continue to urge the Bureau of Indian Affairs to act expeditiously to approve this application. A decision from the BIA is anticipated later this year.
IN-DEPTH: Press Releases | Legislation | Links
BACK TO TOP
Media Consolidation
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing its rules governing
media ownership. Under the 1996 Telecommunications Act, rules limiting the
number of radio stations a single company could own in the United States
and how many they could own in a single media market were eliminated. Since
1996, the number of radio station owners has declined by 34 percent. In Madison,
for example, Clear Channel communications owns six stations. Nationwide,
Clear Channel owns more than 1,200 stations. The FCC is now considering changes
to the rule that limits the number of television, newspaper and radio stations
a company can control within a media market. They are also considering increasing
the number of stations nationwide that can be owned by a single company.
I am very concerned about the potential impact of these changes. As we have
seen with radio, relaxation of these rules is likely to lead to media consolidation
and a reduction in the diversity of media outlets and content. Under the FCC’s
proposed changes, a single company would be allowed to own a major newspaper,
the major television station and multiple radio stations in that community.
This concentration threatens to reduce the quality and number of providers
of information to such a community. Access to diverse and different media voices
is important in a free society and a healthy democracy.
It is absolutely critical that we have a broad, public debate about these
media ownership rules. So far, that has not occurred. The FCC has only held
one public hearing and there has been almost no media coverage of this issue.
Because of my serious concerns about the truncated process by which these rules
have been reviewed, on February 14, 2003, I sent a letter to FCC Chairman Michael
Powell asking for additional public hearings and a delay in the final proceedings.
I am also a cosponsor of H.Res. 218, expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that no changes to the media ownership rules be made until
there is a much more extensive debate. On May 13, 2003, I joined 93 other Members
of Congress on a letter to Chairman Powell expressing our concerns about any
changes and urging a delay and additional debate on these proposals.
Media Consolidation Letter to FCC
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) IN-DEPTH: Press Releases | Legislation | Links
BACK TO TOP
Furniture Tipping
The tragic deaths of several children in Wisconsin due to furniture tipping over on them prompted me to co-sponsor legislation to improve safety standards for furniture. In addition, I have asked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to strengthen and make mandatory the current voluntary furniture tipping standard. I have also written to the producers of televised home makeover programs, asking them to include life-saving information about furniture safety in future programs. Disseminating information about the risks of death to small children together with minor changes in law can prevent many tragic home accidents.
IN-DEPTH: Press Releases | Legislation | Links
BACK TO TOP
|
