Atty. General Brad Schimel Is an Incompetent, Corrupt and Self-aggrandizing Stain on His Office
The liberal group One Wisconsin Now summed up the shameless behavior with the quip, “Schimel put the AG in swag.”
Wisconsin Gazette, 09/21/2018
Government Management Category Archive
Developments at State Level Worrisome
“As attorney general, Brad Schimel is putting the ‘AG’ in swag,” said One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross in a news release.
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 09/10/2017Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office Has Spent $83,000 on Promotional Material
Joanna Beilman-Dulin, One Wisconsin Now’s research director, said in a statement that Schimel should spend the department’s money on fighting crime.
Associated Press, 09/07/2017Wisconsin AG’s Office Has Spent $83K on Promotional Material
Newly released records show Attorney General Brad Schimel has spent about $83,000 on state Justice Department promotional items over the last three years.
Associated Press, 09/06/2017Attorney General Brad Schimel Puts the ‘AG’ in Swag
Brad Schimel’s office purchased SWAG like custom-made fortune cookies, stress balls, coffee mugs and tumblers, candy, pens and flashlights to hand out.
One Wisconsin Now, 09/05/2017Gov. Walker Proposes Funding for More State Tax Auditors
Gov. Scott Walker is proposing to increase funding for an enhanced tax auditing program that generated nearly $27 million in additional revenue last year — more than enough to cover the cost,...
Wisconsin State Journal, 02/17/2017Walker, Cabinet Coming to Area This Week
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is setting up shop for the next couple of days in places like Cornell, What is being dubbed the Cabinet on the Road tour features stops in several...
Chippewa Herald, 07/10/2016Polluter Penalties Drop 78%
Financial penalties for violations of Wisconsin environmental laws fell sharply in 2015 to their lowest level in at least a decade. Data released by a conservation organization show forfeitures paid by individuals...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/19/2016Walker Administration Delays $101 Million Debt Payment
Gov. Scott Walker’s administration this month put off making $101 million in debt payments, driving up costs for taxpayers by more than $2 million in the long run, according to the Legislature’s...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/10/2016Scott Walker’s HR Agency Slammed Civil Service Changes in Private Memo
The personnel agency in Gov. Scott Walker’s administration privately blasted changes to the state’s civil service days after they were proposed, telling his office the overhaul would slow hiring, turn away qualified...
Wisconsin State Journal, 05/02/2016John Doe Investigation Into Lincoln Hills Abuse Allegations Closed
A state John Doe investigation into a troubled juvenile prison in northern Wisconsin has been closed under a law signed last year by Gov. Scott Walker that put time limits on such...
WPR, 04/19/2016Special Treatment or Limited Access: State Policies Spell Out Who Can Talk to the Press
While the policy has been in place since at least 2008, the agency’s monthly and quarterly employment data came under intense scrutiny after Gov. Scott Walker promised to add 250,000 private sector...
La Crosse Tribune, 03/15/2016Scott Walker Calls for State Agencies to Track Open Records Requests, Speed Up Response Times
In advance of Sunshine Week, Gov. Scott Walker is ordering his administration to improve its handling of public records requests, speed up response times and provide mandatory records training for all state...
Wisconsin State Journal, 03/12/2016Rebecca Bradley Apologizes for Student Columns Calling AIDS Patients ‘degenerates’ and Gays ‘queers’
A spokeswoman for Gov. Scott Walker, who appointed Bradley to three judgeships in as many years — including as Supreme Court justice last fall — said Monday that “neither the Governor nor...
Wisconsin State Journal, 03/08/2016Paul Soglin Blasts WEDC, WMC in Wake of Kraft Heinz Report
In the days after the Oscar Mayer announcement, Gov. Scott Walker pointed out that Soglin never contacted his office or WEDC. In Thursday’s interview, Soglin maintained that Madison made no mistakes.“We’re the...
Wisconsin State Journal, 03/04/2016Feds Looking at Whether Civil Rights Were Violated at Lincoln Hills
In February, Gov. Scott Walker’s office released records that showed Lincoln Hills staff in 2012 failed to take an inmate who was sexually assaulted to an emergency room until after a prison...
Wisconsin State Journal, 03/02/2016Walker Signs Bill Allowing Towns in Dane County to Opt Out of Zoning Laws
Walker also signed a bill allowing towns in Dane County to opt out of county zoning laws. The bill, authored by Rep. Keith Ripp, R-Lodi, was introduced after the Dane County Towns...
Wisconsin State Journal, 03/01/2016Wisconsin Uses Affordable Care Act but Rejects Funding For it
Wisconsin’s decision last week to challenge a fee imposed by the Affordable Care Act set up a comparison not lost on advocates who support the law.The fee has cost the state about...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/28/2016Walker Policies Cited As Factor in Increase Rise of EPA Polluted Water Listings in Wisconsin
The proposed EPA Impaired Waters List for 2016 in Wisconsin contains 1,694 listings, more than double the 761 approved for the list in 2004.The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recommended...
Green Bay Press-Gazette, 02/24/2016Sex Assault Allegation Mishandled at Lincoln Hills
Despite what a former state employee called a strong case, officials in 2013 abandoned pursuing charges against a juvenile inmate accused of sexually assaulting his roommate at a secure Northwoods facility now...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/23/2016Department of Corrections Secretary to Resign As New Information Surfaces on Lincoln Hills
A staffer at a troubled Northwoods youth prison has been put on paid leave pending an investigation of the medical treatment of a juvenile who was taken to a hospital this month....
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/22/2016Taxpayer Tab for Walker Presidential Run Security Rises
Taxpayers cut nine checks for five figures — including one for more than $93,000 — to members of Gov. Scott Walker’s security team last year after a federal agency found the state...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/22/2016Walker Appointees at Department of Natural Resources Considered Disciplining Employee for Releasing Public Records
Political appointees of the Department of Natural Resources discussed disciplining an employee after she provided public records to a Sheboygan County citizens group fighting plans by the Kohler Co. for a golf...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/13/2016Lincoln Hills Investigation Results in Resignation of Walker’s Secretary of Department of Corrections
Department of Corrections secretary Ed Wall has resigned amid a wide-ranging investigation of the state’s youth prison, now led by the FBI. The disclosure Friday of Wall’s resignation came hours after federal...
Wisconsin State Journal, 02/13/2016Walker Denies Prior Knowledge of Lincoln Hill Youth Prison Abuses As Corrections Secretary Resigns Amid Investigation
Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Ed Wall has resigned amid an investigation into abuse allegations at the state’s youth prison, the governor’s office said Friday as news emerged that the FBI had...
Associated Press, 02/12/2016Walker’s Act 10 Cited As Concerns Rise Over Teacher Shortage
In the five years since Act 10 became law, Wisconsin school districts have experienced a dramatic decline in the number of applicants for each teacher vacancy. In 2015, there were an average...
WITI-TV, 02/09/2016Rauner Is No Friend to Working Families
The fact is that Gov. Scott Walker’s rabid anti-union agenda has been a disaster for the economy of Wisconsin, which remains in the bottom third of states for job growth.
Chicago Tribune, 01/29/2016Lincoln Hills Youth Had Toes Amputated After Run-in With Staff
In recent days, Lincoln Hills inmates have fought with each other multiple times, refused to go into their rooms – at least once en masse – and in one case threw urine...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/16/2015Walker Signs Split of State’s GAB | Campaign Finance Measure Also Approved
Gov. Scott Walker privately signed a measure Wednesday loosening the state’s campaign finance laws and eliminating the state elections and ethics agency that investigated his campaign for teaming up with conservative groups.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/16/2015Open Government Group Files Complaint Against Public Records Board
He noted that Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has already used the new definition of “transitory” records to justify denying records that existed at one time, but were not maintained. One of those...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/15/2015Lawmaker Asked Corrections Officials in March About Problems at Youth Prison
Earlier this week Gov. Scott Walker said he didn’t think there was a connection between staffing issues and the Lincoln Hills allegations. “I think their concerns were not specific to that,” Walker...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/11/2015Scott Walker: DOC Reviewing Safety at All Prisons in Wake of Criminal Investigation at Youth Prison
Gov. Scott Walker said Friday his administration is reviewing safety measures and policies at all state prisons as the Department of Justice investigates alleged abuse of inmates at a juvenile prison in...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/11/2015Questions, Answers About Text Messages, Visitor Logs and Other Wisconsin Open Records Issues
Gov. Scott Walker on Monday refuted reports that his administration is doing anything questionable when it comes to Wisconsin ‘s open records law. But those reports brought to light a change made...
Capital Times, 12/10/2015Abuse, Misconduct, Intimidation at Center of Sweeping Investigation of Wisconsin Juvenile Prison
Under a law Gov. Scott Walker signed Oct. 23, John Doe inquiries cannot be used to investigate allegations of misconduct in public office. The John Doe request in this case was filed...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/10/2015Board’s Records Action Appears to Have Violated Open Meetings law
An obscure board overseeing state public records gave so little notice of a move to sharply limit electronic records that it appears to have violated the state’s open meetings law, attorneys and...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/09/2015Agents Continue Assault Probe at Juvenile Offender School
Speaking to reporters in Madison on Monday, Gov. Scott Walker said Wall and top agency officials had brought concerns to the Department of Justice and Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger and that...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/08/2015Admins Removed Amid DOJ Investigation Into ‘mistreatment of Youth’ at State Juvenile Facility
The facility, which is about 30 miles north of Wausau, is the state’s youth prison. Copper Lake houses female offenders — 36 as of Friday — while 228 male inmates were at...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/08/2015Quiet Change in Public Records Policy Could Shield Messages
An obscure board overseeing public records in Wisconsin has quietly cut back on requirements to maintain some electronic records such as text messages about major taxpayer awards to businesses. … Gov. Scott...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/07/2015Agents Raid School for Juvenile Offenders Amid Secret Probe
Speaking to reporters in Madison, Gov. Scott Walker said Wall and top agency officials had brought concerns to the Department of Justice and Lincoln County Sheriff Jeff Jaeger and had not tried...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/07/2015Scott Walker Administration Finding New Way to Deny Public Records
Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has found another novel method to deny the public access to government records. In at least two recent cases, the administration says it doesn’t have to keep certain...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/07/2015Ex-DNR Officials Complain About Enforcement Under Walker
The DNR has come under fire from Democrats and environmentalists under Gov. Scott Walker. Officials have said they are enforcing regulations but also trying to reduce unnecessary costs and red tape by...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/07/2015State’s Handling of Workers Caught in Workplace Sex Doesn’t Match Scott Walker’s Account
In making his case to Republican lawmakers this fall that the state’s civil service system needed to be overhauled, Gov. Scott Walker cited the case of two state workers who he said...
Wisconsin State Journal, 12/05/2015Top GOP Lawmakers Might Rebrand Troubled Jobs Agency
GOP Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans in the Legislature created WEDC in 2011, soon after they were swept into power. The new agency replaced the state Department of Commerce and was aimed...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/10/2015Failure at the Faucet: Safe, Clean Drinking Water Eludes Many Wisconsinite
In 2011, the EPA identified 75 failings in the DNR’s enforcement of the state’s wastewater pollution permit program. Last month, after the residents’ petition was filed, the state agency announced it is...
Capital Times, 11/08/2015City Officials, Democrats Blame Scott Walker Administration for Not Reaching Out to Oscar Mayer
Gov. Scott Walker’s economic development agency made no contact with Kraft Heinz as other states did in the months leading up to the company’s decision to close its Oscar Mayer headquarters in...
Wisconsin State Journal, 11/05/2015Oscar Mayer Plant in Madison Will Close; Headquarters to Move to Chicago
Like most everyone else, Gov. Scott Walker only learned of Kraft Heinz’s decision Wednesday, spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said. She said his office “will work with local officials and our Department of Workforce...
Wisconsin State Journal, 11/04/2015Lawmakers Inch Closer to Overhauling Civil Service System
On the civil service bill, both sides in the GOP dispute are holding firm, meaning that the proposal is unlikely to pass the Senate until early next year. The bill would overhaul...
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/27/2015Lapdogs’ and ‘la-la Land’: Wisconsin Assembly Debates Campaign Finance Laws, GAB Overhaul
A spokeswoman for Gov. Scott Walker said he supports overall reform of the GAB, and he “looks forward to working with lawmakers on a replacement for the GAB that is fair, transparent,...
Capital Times, 10/21/2015