Conservationists Warn John Doe Ruling Could Impact Environmental Policy

Environmental groups are among those critical of Thursday’s state Supreme Court ruling ending a John Doe investigation into political coordination of donations.

The high court voted 4-2 to end the probe into whether Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign and conservative groups violated campaign finance laws in 2012.

Kerry Schumann of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters said she worries the decision will open the door to more coordination between outside groups and campaigns, including on environmental issues.

“The more we see polluters polluting our democracy, the more we’re going to see polluters polluting our environment,” she said.

Schumann said iron mining interests were active in 2012. Next year, she said, it could be supporters of frac sand mines, or large farms.

But many Republicans, including state Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, have called the ruling a major victory for freedom of speech and expression.