A state lawmaker is calling on Wisconsin's Attorney General to appeal a recent court decision on the availability of legislative drafts. The move comes after a Dane County Judge last week ruled that drafts of legislation are not public records, dismissing a lawsuit filed by former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager.
State Rep. Jim Soletski says the decision should be appealed by the current Attorney General, J.B. Van Hollen. The Green Bay Democrat sent a letter to Van Hollen this week, asking him to focus on continuing the lawsuit.
The court battle centered on lobbyists being allowed to offer input on legislation, before it's formally introduced. Soletski says allowing the practice to continue creates an unfair situation for the public, if they aren't allowed to see changes special interests may have made along the way.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice says the court's decision is under review. However, officials would not comment on if an appeal will be filed.
