Wisconsin Assembly passes bill eliminating elections board

MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a bill dissolving Wisconsin's unique nonpartisan board overseeing elections, campaign finance and ethics laws.

The proposal now heads to Gov. Scott Walker, who is expected to sign it. The Assembly also passed another bill doubling campaign contribution limits as part of an overhaul of Wisconsin's campaign finance law.

The nonpartisan Government Accountability Board is eliminated in one bill. That moves comes following Republican criticism of the board's involvement in a secret investigation into Walker and conservative groups.

Two new commissions with partisan appointees would take its place.

Democrats objected to a provision allowing a Republican-controlled committee to select administrators to lead the commissions if there is a stalemate on who to hire.

It passed 58-37 with no Democrats in support.