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Wisconsin Libertarian Party Voices Opposition to ROFR
Add Wisconsin’s Libertarian Party to the chorus of opposition to the proposed Right of First Refusal in the state.
The Libertarian Party on Friday denounced the plan, which would essentially give the state’s power companies a monopoly over more than $1 billion in soon-to-be power grid construction.
"The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin stands firmly against any government-sponsored monopolies and believes in a free market void of government intervention," the Libertarian's Wyatt Benson said in a statement.
The proposal, which is currently in the Wisconsin Senate, has faced a wave of opposition in Madison.
Many conservative lawmakers, as well as groups like Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, have said the same thing that the Libertarians are saying. They too criticize the Right of First Refusal's protectionist core.
“[The plan] would give certain utility companies first dibs on any projects, eliminating competition," Benson added. "This will surely raise prices for utility consumers and taxpayers, as there will be no competitive bidding."
ROFR supporters say the plan would actually make electricity in the state more affordable because there would be some certainty in the construction process, and in managing the electric grid afterwards.
Wisconsin's Republican Senate Leader is, perhaps, the largest backer of ROFR. But the plan has not come-up for a vote yet.
ROFR had a hearing back in early March, but was changed into a new bill, and a slightly different proposal last month.
It has not moved since.
“The LPWI will continue to oppose any and all attempts to bypass a free market system. Liberty is achieved by the free exchange of items, services, and ideas. There is no incentive to improve when there is no competition,” the Libertarians added in Thursday’s statement.
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