Wisconsin Legislature's Heart Was Two Sizes Too Small

One of the major problems with modern society is the lack of shame. My former boss reminded me of that a few years ago. Wisconsin's pretty well known for corruption in government. But they've reached a point where even they don't mind if anyone sees anymore.

Case in point?

From JSOnline:

Legislator eyes unused gift card value

Madison - Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) said today that the value of unused gift cards should go to the state treasury - not to the merchant - and that change will be part of a bill he'll introduce in the legislative session starting in January.

Kessler said millions of dollars a year go unused by gift card recipients, and retailers are allowed to book the unused values after the cards expire. He cited figures from Consumer Reports showing that 19% of all gift cards are not used because they are lost or expired.

Kessler called that a "windfall," which he said could be used to support schools, health care or roads.

(oh, really?)

Under his bill, after a one-year expiration date on all cards, 80% of the value of unused cards would go to the state treasury. Merchants could keep 20% of the value of an unused card to pay for processing, Kessler said.

"I'd rather have people spend the money and use the gift card, but if they aren't, I'd rather the state get the money," Kessler said.

Two bills regarding gift cards failed to pass in the last legislative session; one would have eliminated fees or expiration dates on gift cards and the other would have required conspicuous posting of expiration and service charge policies.

So much for a good business environment.

And why bother? They think it all belongs and is owed to them anyway.