Politics

The "Badger Advocates": Corporate Advocates, Not UW-Madison Advocates

By Steve Horn

Madison, Wisconsin -- A new lobbying firm, the Badger Advocates, has opened on Capitol Square. 

According to its newly-minted website, the Advocates "are dedicated to supporting the University of Wisconsin-Madison ... [and] will promote greater accountability through enhanced autonomy for this unique institution."  This lobbying effort is similar to efforts afoot in other states to use state budget issues to privatize public higher education institutions and put more assets and power at the disposal of powerful corporate interests.

The lobby shop's PR description closely mirrors the title of the Wisconsin Public Research Institute's December 2010 report titled, "Making the University of Wisconsin More Accountable Through Greater Autonomy." WPRI is heavily funded by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, a right-wing neo-conservative think tank.

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Full post as published by PR Watch on March 06, 2011 (boomark / email).