WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/12/2009) - State Representatives Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore) and Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) have requested that the Attorney General, the Government Accountability Board, and the Board of Regents investigate the possible violation of state law at various campuses of the University of Wisconsin system by gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa).

On November 3, 2009, the Stevens Point Journal reported that Walker had held fundraisers at college campuses across the state, including the campus at Stevens Point.

Included in the story was a photograph of Representative Kevin Peterson speaking with students at what was described as a political fundraising event at the Dreyfus Center.

According to the Daily Cardinal and the Badger Herald, Walker was at events at the UW-Madison campus.

"If there were indeed fundraisers taking place at our campuses this is a clear violation of state law,” said 70th Assembly District Representative Amy Sue Vruwink.

“This is something that deserves to be investigated," Vruwink said.

Political solicitations on University of Wisconsin property are prohibited under s 11.36(3) and (4) of Wisconsin State Statutes.

"If what was reported by the Stevens Point Journal is correct then clearly an investigation is warranted to see who may be culpable," said 72nd Assembly District Representative Marlin Schneider.

"These statutes exist to form a firewall between the university and political fundraising at state owned campuses. This is serious," Schneider said.

The story reported in the Journal said that Mr. Walker had held these events around the
state Monday and that students were able to “get information about Walker, see his Website and donate money to his campaign, all fairly typical practices.”

The letter to the Attorney General by Vruwink and Schneider says: "Well, insofar as we know, this is not a “typical practice” and is actually forbidden by state law. We are providing the on-line version of the story reporting these events. We do not know if there are stories of a similar nature in other campus communities around the state."

"The Dreyfus Center is University of Wisconsin property and political solicitations of money are prohibited under s 11.36(3) and (4) of Wisconsin Statutes governing such activities," the letter continued.

"11.36 (3) states that “Every person who has charge or control in a building, office or room occupied for any purpose by this state…shall prohibit the entry of any person into that building, office or room for the purpose of making or receiving a contribution.”", the letter states.

"11.36 (4) states that “No person may enter or remain in any building, office or room occupied for any purpose by the state…for the purpose or requesting or collecting a contribution.”

"According to the Legislative Council these statutes provide both civil and criminal sanctions for such misuse," Assembly Representative Amy Sue Vruwink, and Assembly Representative Marlin Schneider stated in their letter to Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.