Two former members of Gov. Scott Walker’s cabinet say the administration has had a policy of communicating official business through private channels. The allegations come as the Walker administration faces criticism for cutting public access to internal text messages and other so-called transitory state records.
Category: Open records
Posted inGovernment, Open records, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Scott Walker’s office ‘obstructed’ probe of missing veterans funds, investigators allege
The Milwaukee County executive’s office under Scott Walker “obstructed” a criminal investigation into missing donations to a veterans fund, two investigators alleged Friday in a federal court brief that includes recently unsealed investigative records.
Posted inGovernment, Open records, Scott Walker's Wisconsin
Update: Gov. Scott Walker backs away from changes to open records law but is mum on his role
The governor and legislative leaders declined to say whether the governor himself was behind the original measure. A review by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism shows similarities between recent records request denials from the governor’s office and the state Department of Administration and changes inserted in the budget Thursday by Republican leaders — similarities that raise questions about whether Walker himself was involved in the budget proposal.
Posted inCruel and Unusual?, Justice & Safety, Open records
Wisconsin prison guard fired for harassing inmates
An internal investigation found that DOC Sgt. Thomas J. Lukas engaged in “demeaning and harassing behavior” toward inmates at Fox Lake Correctional Institution, a medium-security prison in Dodge County. This included an email he sent to another guard making a reference to inmate Antron Kent and another inmate that was determined to be “sexual in nature and inappropriate.”
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Investigative reporter Meg Kissinger to receive Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigative health reporter Meg Kissinger, who has tirelessly exposed flaws in the mental health system, has been named the 2015 recipient of the Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award.
Posted inNews about Wisconsin Watch, Open records
You’re invited: Sign up now for Midwest Watchdog Workshop and Wisconsin Watchdog Awards
Journalists, students and the public are invited for an innovative workshop at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focusing on investigative reporting techniques to hold the powerful accountable. The event will be held April 8 and 9 at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. It is being presented by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and Investigative Reporters and Editors.
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council statement on claims of legislative immunity to open records law
So far as we can recall, no lawmaker has ever before tried to defeat the state’s open records law by employing this ruse. We are deeply disappointed in both Sen. Vukmir and the Attorney General’s Office, for the position it has taken.
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Wisconsin gets a “D” in ranking of legislative websites
Among advocates for open government, it is often said that public officials should not get kudos for doing the minimum. If the law requires a certain degree of openness and the authorities oblige, they might avoid a kick in the shin but won’t likely get a pat on the back. That may be the operative theory behind the “D” rating awarded the Wisconsin Legislature in a new 50-state ranking of legislative websites produced by the Sunlight Foundation, a national nonprofit group that promotes government transparency.
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Don’t hike cost of public records
A ruling last year by the Wisconsin Supreme Court involving the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel became the focus of attention Feb. 27, when a state Assembly committee held a public hearing on a bill, AB 26, that would drastically increase the cost of obtaining public records. The bill, if approved, would let custodians of public records charge a fee for redacting sensitive information.
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Legislature oversteps with new rules
new rules recently passed by the state Assembly and state Senate go beyond preserving decorum and ensuring order. They impede the ability of citizens to participate in their democracy and offer fresh proof, if any were needed, that the Legislature feels no need to follow the rules it has put in place for others.
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Keep DNR enforcement sessions open
The state Department of Natural Resources is rewriting its enforcement procedures, including steps to make the process less transparent.
Posted inOpen records, WisWatch Blog
Follow the money
Tools for Wisconsin reporters covering state and federal races