The
misinformation and outright misrepresentations that have been
circulated by the groups that opposed the legislation are, if
left unaddressed, cancerous to the operation of a fair
legislative process.
Christopher Korst, Rent-A-Center General Counsel
Christopher Korst, Rent-A-Center General Counsel told RTO Online
in reaction to the surprise veto;
"On behalf of Rent-A-Center, I can only register surprise
and disappointment over the decision by Governor Doyle to
veto a bill, the substance and details of which his
representatives had painstakingly negotiated over the past 3
years with industry representatives and members of the
Senate and Assembly. The many, many improvements in SB 268
from previous bills were largely incorporated at the behest,
and oftentimes the insistence, of the Governor’s staff,
including representatives of the Department of Financial
Institutions. This veto represents one more defeat for those
members of the Wisconsin legislature who believe that the
proper role of the state government is to create
opportunities and choices for Wisconsin consumers and jobs
for Wisconsin citizens, not to take those away."
Korst continued, "The misinformation and outright
misrepresentations that have been circulated by the groups
that opposed the legislation are, if left unaddressed,
cancerous to the operation of a fair legislative process.
The only way the democratic process can function fairly and
effectively is if the participants in that process,
including outside parties interested in legislative
proposals, are committed to truth and integrity in their
participation. Groups involved in the effort to defeat SB
268 simply misled the public and elected officials about the
substance and content of this legislation. For this, I would
hope that there is accountability someday."
