Gov. Walker opposes open records bill changes

WAUWATOSA, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Saturday that he wants his fellow Republicans who control the Legislature to remove or significantly rein in a facet of the proposed state budget that would severely roll back the state’s open records laws.

The restrictions, which Republicans on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee slipped into the proposed budget late Thursday, would exempt nearly everything created by state and local government officials from Wisconsin’s open records law, including drafts of legislation and staff communications. It has drawn heavy criticism from liberals and conservatives, and was the subject of a withering front-page editorial in Saturday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Walker, who is expected to formally announce his candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination on July 13, told reporters before an Independence Day parade in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa on Saturday that he’ll discuss the matter with legislative leaders after the weekend, the Journal Sentinel reported.

“My hope is, that after talking with them on Monday, we get to the point where it’s either out completely or there’s significant changes to it,” he said.

The Republican governor said he has “a lot of concerns” about the open records proposal, but he stopped short of saying he would veto it if lawmakers don’t scale it back. The full Legislature, and Walker, would have to sign off on any changes before they become law. He also didn’t specifically say whether he and his office were involved in crafting the proposed changes or whether he objected to them in advance, or specifically say who proposed the overhaul.

“Again, those are all things we’ll talk about on Monday. We’ll talk about what we’re doing going forward. There’s all sorts of ideas that float around the Capitol before the end of the Joint Finance Committee process,” he said. “But, I think it’s pretty clear that lawmakers from both parties, as well as others, want to make sure there’s changes. And we’re going to make sure that happens, starting with that meeting on Monday.”

Walker’s comments were echoed by some Republican legislators Saturday, including two who voted for the changes just two days earlier.

Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, co-chairwoman of the powerful budget committee, said they are now “working to eliminate” the open records limits.

“We are going to get rid of that,” Darling said at Fox Point’s Fourth of July parade.

And Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, said at Wauwatosa’s parade that lawmakers were working on changes.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.