Mason: Proposal removes toxins from schools; Doesn't give any company a monopoly

Mike Sheridan, Cory Mason, Brian Torner, Robert Israel,
Jane Finkenbine and Jeff Neubauer at bill's introduction Sept. 25, 2009

Rep. Cory Mason said the "green cleaning" bill he introduced is about reducing toxicity in schools, not creating a monopoly for a Racine company.

"This bill makes it less toxic for kids in schools and the people who use public buildings," Mason said Monday afternoon. "The question we should be asking is, 'Is this a good bill? Is it a good idea?' "

Here's our story when Mason -- and legislative leaders --
introduced the bill at Walden III in September.

Instead, Mason has been fielding calls today about a Madison TV station's report that Jeff Neubauer, a former Racine legislator who is now CEO of Kranz Inc., wrote the legislation and coordinated its release. WKOW-TV reports on its website:

State records show a former lawmaker helped mold an environmental bill with potential financial benefits for his firm and industry.

[snip]

The correspondence indicates Neubauer originated and reviewed portions of the bill.

"Attached please find the final language," Neubauer wrote on Sept. 22, 2009 to Mason aide Michelle Michalak and lobbyist Jason Childress.

"Announce and release the bill in the form that is attached on Friday," Neubauer wrote.

"Nothing but good publicity will come from that. It is no lose, all upside for you."

That led Racine County Republicans to pounce on Mason. Bill Folk, president of the county party, said in a press release:

This is simply unacceptable. The people of the 62nd Assembly District elected Cory Mason, not Jeff Neubauer to represent them. Mr. Neubauer's interest in this legislation, as well as his contributions to Mason, clearly show that there was a conflict that should have been clearly outlined prior to the introduction of the legislation.

Mason said he never hid the fact that he worked with Neubauer and Kranz Inc. and JohnsonDiversey. In fact, Neubauer and a representative from JohnsonDiversey each testified at a public hearing on the legislation, and responded to questions about whether the bill unfairly favored Neubauer's company.

Mason said he exchanged notes with Neubauer on the bill, but he also consulted school officials, parents, students and environmental groups. He added that a handful of states, including Illinois, have passed similar legislation.

Kranz Inc. features a line of "Kranz Green" products that may qualify under the program. But Mason said hundreds of U.S. companies offer products that would qualify for use in schools and public buildings under the bill. The legislation was actually written to encourage companies to follow the lead of Wisconsin companies like JohnsonDiversey and Wausau Papers, which are making some of the greenest, healthiest products on the market, Mason said.

"It's not factually true to say one company gets a monopoly or special treatment under the bill," Mason said.

Changes are underway to the legislation, which Mason said he hopes appeals to a bi-partisan majority. The bill is scheduled to be taken up by the Assembly next week.

"I hope the bill stands on its merits," Mason said. "It's really designed to encourage the private sector to create greener, healthier products."

Read the bill, AB578, here.

Update: Jeff Neubauer donated $300 to Mason's campaign over the last three years.