Wisconsin Broadcasters Association

Registered Principal Details

Business Or Interest:
Radio and television broadcasters.

Lobbying Interests:
Open meetings, open records, taxation policy, broadcast tower regulations, small business concerns, campaign finance issues, information technology, advertising related issues.

CEO Name:
John Laabs
President

Contact
JL
John Laabs
44 E Mifflin St. Suite 900
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-2600
(608) 256-3986
jlaabs@aol.com

Authorized Lobbyists

Lobbyist Name Exclusive Duties Authorized On Withdrawn On
John Laabs Exclusive Duties N/A Authorized On 1/27/2003 Withdrawn On N/A

Lobbying Interests

Legislative Bills/Resolutions

Assembly Bill 113
Assembly Bill 113
relating to: public inspection of the records of the canvass of elections for the offices of president and vice president.

Bill Text and History

Against
Notification Date
3/11/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Wis voters have right to election news as soon as practicable. Broadcatsers have deadlines to meet for late evening newscasts. Passage of bill culd lead to greater use of exit polls and other predictive measures.
Assembly Bill 196
Assembly Bill 196
relating to: access to public records.

Bill Text and History

2003 Wisconsin Act 47

For
Notification Date
6/20/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Support bill as originally drafted without amendments
Assembly Bill 444
Assembly Bill 444
relating to: carrying or going armed with a concealed weapon, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, making appropriations, and providing penalties.

Bill Text and History

Against
Notification Date
11/4/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Opposed to Bill as written; urge the removal of section making license apps. closed records
Assembly Bill 448
Assembly Bill 448
relating to: confidentiality of autopsy records.

Bill Text and History

Against
Notification Date
11/24/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Senate Bill 12
Senate Bill 12
relating to: campaign financing, official action in return for providing or withholding political contributions, services, or other things of value, lobbying regulation, designations for the Wisconsin election campaign fund by individuals filing state inco...

Bill Text and History

For
Notification Date
3/11/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Broadcast industry supports portions of bill to repeal the unconstitutional mandate that public TV broadcsters provide free time to State candidates.
Senate Bill 78
Senate Bill 78
relating to: access to public records.

Bill Text and History

For
Notification Date
6/20/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Support bill as introduced without amendment
Senate Bill 214
Senate Bill 214
relating to: carrying or going armed with a concealed weapon, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, making appropriations, and providing penalties.

Bill Text and History

Against
Notification Date
11/4/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.
Comments
Oppose as written; support removal of Section 18 which makes license application records closed records

Budget Bill Subjects

General Fund Taxes
Biennial budget bill treatment of matter relating to
General Fund Taxes

Notification Date
3/20/2003
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.

Comments
Against extending sales tax to advertising

Topics Not Yet Assigned A Bill Or Rule Number

sales on advertising
Development, drafting or introduction of a proposal relating to
sales on advertising

Action Intended To Affect
Legislative Matter

Notification Date
1/30/2004
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.

Preparation/reasearch for 2003-05 biennial budget
Development, drafting or introduction of a proposal relating to
Preparation/reasearch for 2003-05 biennial budget

Action Intended To Affect
Legislative Matter

Notification Date
7/29/2002
First Communication Date
N/A
Communication Information
The principal, a lobbyist authorized by the principal, or another individual acting on behalf of the principal has not yet communicated on this matter, but intends to do so at a later date.

Comments
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association

Total Lobbying Effort

  2004
January - June
2004
July - December
Total
Total Lobbying Expenditures 2004
January - June
$516.73
2004
July - December
$0.00
Total $516.73
Total Hours Communicating 2004
January - June
1.50
2004
July - December
0.00
Total 1.50
Total Hours Other 2004
January - June
4.50
2004
July - December
0.00
Total 4.50

Percent Allocation of Lobbying Effort

Legislative Bills/Resolutions

relating to: campaign financing, official action in return for providing or withholding political contributions, services, or other things of value, lobbying regulation, designations for the Wisconsin election campaign fund by individuals filing state income tax returns, nonrefundable income tax credits for certain donations to the Wisconsin election campaign fund, candidate time on public broadcasting television stations and public access channels, statewide voter registration, staffing of the Elections Board, providing exemptions from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, making appropriations, and providing penalties.
2003
January - June
2003
July - December
2004
January - June
2004
July - December
Total
2003
January - June
2003
July - December
2004
January - June
8%
2004
July - December
Total < 1%
relating to: confidentiality of autopsy records.
2003
January - June
2003
July - December
2004
January - June
2004
July - December
Total
2003
January - June
2003
July - December
2004
January - June
92%
2004
July - December
Total 100%

Budget Bill Subjects

No budget bill subjects found.

Administrative Rulemaking Proceedings

No administrative rulemaking proceedings found.

Topics Not Yet Assigned A Bill Or Rule Number

No topics found.

Minor Efforts

No minor efforts found.

Other Matters

No other matters found.

Filed Statements of Lobbying Activity and Expenditures