Legislature's moral compass points straight down By Curt Andersen News-Chronicle Back in December, Wisconsin’s Republican legislature created a bill which they inappropriately named, “The Jobs Creation Act.” The bill was neither first nor last in a Blitzkrieg of bills that mock Wisconsin’s history of environmental awareness and its former reputation for clean government, but it was the least aptly named bill in a litter of degenerate mutts. First, the Special Interest Republican legislature came up with the lunatic idea of changing the designation of navigable waters, a penny-stupid, pound-even-dumber bill that would have destroyed the headwaters of streams state-wide, and ruined fish habitat. That crackpot move would destroy tourism fishing all over the state. Who would benefit from this bill? Developers and homebuilders. Then there was a series of bills that would let companies off the hook for pollution violations, cleanup, and fines. If this legislature had a moral compass it would be pointing straight down and clanging like a fire alarm. The real stinker bill is AB655, the aforementioned “Jobs Creation Act,” more aptly named the “Special Favors for Developers Act.” The bill, in essence, will deregulate protections for waterfront property, streams, and lakes, and will be a boon to rapacious developers and fastbuck builders, while trashing the rights of millions of Wisconsin citizens. Senator Cathy Stepp, R - Racine, and her husband own First Stepp Builders in Racine. According to the Wisconsin Blue Book, she is a member of the Freddie Mac Board; Wisconsin Builders Association Board; National Association of Home Builders Board; Racine/Kenosha Builders Association; Metro Builders Association; and was past secretary of the Racine-Kenosha Builders Association. Stepp is also chair of the Special Legislative Committee On Job Creation. The Wisconsin Ethics Code states: “No state public official may use…her public position or office to obtain financial gain or anything of substantial value for the private benefit of…herself…or for an organization with which she is associated.” Stepp is abusing her leadership position. Stepp has repeatedly argued that this bill will not benefit her company or any organization to which she belongs. Oddly, she then insists that this bill will create jobs for homebuilders. Stepp repeatedly contradicts herself. She wants it both ways. When citizens from all over Wisconsin drove to Madison to testify against this bill, many gave up a day’s pay and/or family commitments to attend the hearing. Stepp gave special interests like Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce representatives at least 30 minutes to speak at the beginning of the hearing, while citizens were muzzled for hours, then finally given only five minutes. They were repeatedly interrupted by Stepp and other misrepresentatives. This ill-mannered behavior shows Stepp’s willingness to put her own interests before those of the citizens of the state, a violation of her oath of office. Many citizens were never allowed to testify, though they had waited hours to do so, because of Stepp’s delay tactics. Stepp served her own personal interests and the interests of her business organization associates. It should be noted that Stepp won her seat by a hair’s breadth after special interests in the building trades and realtors’ industry contributed more than $80,000 to her election campaign. It appears they have made a sound investment, for she is a puppet eager to serve. Stepp continues to state that her company does not develop land, but documents submitted to the Wisconsin Ethics Board show that First Stepp Builders bought 80 acres, including wetlands, that it intends to develop in coming years. Stepp has deliberately lied to the Ethics Board and the public. The potential financial gains permitted by passage of AB655 would certainly not qualify as “minor and inconsequential conflicts that are unavoidable in a free society,” as allowed under state statutes. The ability to develop property that could not be developed under current statutes, and the lessening of work needed for permits would generate millions of dollars for the building industry. While Stepp and other building associations are ready to pack their wallets, they are taking from all other citizens the protections put there by years of precedent that protect waterways and shorelines. The regulations that are in place have been there for years and now all of a sudden, they are too much of a hassle for these pitiful builders? Harry Truman always said, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Why not try some other work? Piracy is still an option on both the high seas and in the investment field. It is time the Ethics Board grew a spine, stood up on their hind legs and pressed charges against Stepp and those who pay her way. This behavior is no longer hidden under layers of swamp slime. It is transparent. To not act is to be an accomplice to a crime.