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Voters should expect that a Democratic governor will vigorously pursue businesses that don’t pay the taxes they legally owe.

So much for expectations.

The integrity, not to mention the progressive principles, of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle’s administration came under question after revelations that his Transportation Secretary, Frank Busalacchi, met with one of Doyle’s major campaign contributors and directed two state employees to settle nearly $1 million in out-of-state tax bills assessed to the donor’s trucking companies. The donor, Dennis Troha, has since been indicted for funneling $100,000 in contributions through his children to the campaign of Gov. Jim Doyle and then lying about it to the FBI.

None of this reflects well on the Doyle administration. Even if everything were legal, why was Busalacchi trying to reduce Troha’s obligation? Assuming that most of what government does is legitimate (even conservatives in the state Legislature get tongue-tied when asked to identify budget cuts that add up to anything), then everyone else must make up the difference when someone wins a tax break. Remember, this is the same Doyle administration that wants to hike auto registration and license fees. Could these fees have been held in check if people like Troha are treated with something other than kid gloves?

Troha is no friend of progressives. He has also lavished $50,000 on U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville), who shares little with Doyle ideologically but shares the governor’s ability to amass campaign cash. Therein lies the choice for newly empowered Democrats; they can either use their power for the purpose of maintaining power, or they can use it to fulfill a progressive vision in which fairness and the common good, not campaign donations, determine public policy.

The term “pay to play” actually originated in reference to former Gov. Tommy Thompson, but it’s clear Republicans didn’t patent the technique. Before Democrats can spin a narrative of protecting the little guy against special interests, they need to purge the likes of Dennis Troha from their campaign balance sheets.