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The humble launch will mark the first programming of any kind from the nonprofit company since former WisconsinEye president Jeff Roberts announced ambitious plans for C-Span-style coverage of state government more than five years ago.
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson even touted the plan in his 2001 State of the State speech. But the company struggled financially during lengthy contract negotiations with the state for exclusive rights to install and operate remote-control cameras at the Capitol.
Seven-year contracts each are now in place for coverage of the Senate and Assembly, and Loftus said he’s taken steps to help right WisconsinEye’s financial picture.
The company turned Roberts, who was paid $120,000 a year, and three other former staffers into consultants, said WisconsinEye vice president Jon Henkes. WisconsinEye also sold a $90,000 mobile video truck, “did not take delivery” on some equipment and scaled back the number of cameras, Loftus said.
To help with the Internet launch, WisconsinEye will hire WisPolitics.com, a Madison-based political Web site, to host a redesigned WisconsinEye Web site and computer servers, Loftus said.
“If we don’t have to do this, it allows us to focus on the build out and with the cable companies,” Loftus said.
WisconsinEye, which had previously announced plans for a high-profile studio across the street from the Capitol at 1 E. Main, is now looking to lease smaller and more affordable space in the basement, Henkes said.
The State Capitol and Executive Residence Board (SCERB), which is responsible for setting standards for work at the historic Capitol, has given WisconsinEye approval to install five or six cameras each in the Assembly and Senate chambers, said board member Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison. WisconsinEye, which once proposed using more than 70 cameras, has not requested approval for other camera installations, Risser said.
Loftus touted the Internet launch as good news in a letter to donors and supporters last week. The network has produced two of three shows for “a special series of conversations with our former living governors” for cable television distribution, Loftus wrote.
But state Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, said he’s been disappointed with ongoing delays since a legislative committee he served on approved the legislative contract 15 months ago. The Legislative Technical Services Bureau already provides live audio and video Internet coverage of the Assembly and live audio coverage of the Senate in session, said Schneider, who also serves on SCERB.
“This has been the biggest waste of time I’ve ever spent. ... This was supposed to be real television,” Schneider said.
Charter Communications representatives have been meeting regularly with WisconsinEye officials in hopes of forging a “carriage agreement,” but a final deal has not been reached, said Tim Vowell, Charter’s vice president of governmental relations for southern Wisconsin.
The Capitol already is largely wired for Internet and cable television service, and Charter is ready to make fiber-optic connections at a studio location near the Capitol if an agreement is reached, Vowell said.
After years of announcements indicating a launch was imminent, WisconsinEye’s mantra now is to “underpromise and overdeliver,” Henkes said. The company still has $1.6 million pledged in donations, Henkes said.
Donors remain committed to WisconsinEye, which has “recovered from a few bumps in the road,” said Sheboygan businessman Terry Kohler, who was instrumental in providing a $500,000 gift through the Charlotte and Walter Kohler Trust.
Tom Sheehan can be reached at tsheehan@madison.com or (608) 252-6198.
