Boots & Sabers

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Owen

Everything but tech support.
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2135, 05 Mar 19

Evers Relents and Releases Public Record

Why are Evers’ instincts always so wrong?

Gov. Tony Evers on Monday released a handwritten note given to him by former Gov. Scott Walker just before he left office in January, after initially refusing an Associated Press open records request for the document.

Evers released it hours after the AP published a story about his denial and asked that he reconsider. Evers rejected the initial open records request, saying that the letter was “purely personal” and therefore not subject to the open records law.

“However, we appreciate the public’s interest in knowing about correspondence between governors, regardless of the nature of the messages,” the governor’s spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff said in a follow-up message that included the letter.

In the brief two-paragraph note, Walker, a Republican, congratulates Evers, a Democrat, on his victory.

“It is my sincere hope that you will do well, as well as the state, during your time as governor,” Walker wrote. “As you know, this is a wonderful state and I am positive that will continue in the future.”

He goes on to say, “My best advice is personal. Remember to stay connected to your friends who were your friends long before elections. They will keep your life grounded and positive. Good luck and God be with you!”

What would have been wrong with releasing this note? What possible government interest is served by keeping it private? Or did Evers just not want people to see that Walker isn’t the evil caricature the liberals make him out to be? Bill Lueders (no conservative, he) has it right:

Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council president Bill Lueders, who initially said Evers should be ashamed for not making the letter public, praised his reversal.

“It’s good that Tony Evers and his staff have recognized that the law is supposed to be interpreted in a way that provides maximum transparency,” Lueders said. “I am hopeful that he will keep it up.”

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2135, 05 March 2019

11 Comments

  1. Kevin Scheunemann

    It mentioned God and we know liberals have “God cooties”.

  2. jjf

    When Walker refused to release records, did you question his instincts?

  3. Kevin Scheunemann

    jjf,

    Refresh my memory, when did that happen?

  4. Le Roi du Nord

    Oct., 2018

    Source: Wisconsin Gazette:

    “The Center for Media and Democracy filed suit last month against Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel and the Department of Justice for refusing to disclose public records related to his high-profile legal war against the Affordable Care Act…

    Scott Walker supported filing the suit, even though he claims also to support providing affordable coverage for preexisting conditions. Walker punted during Friday’s gubernatorial debate when asked specifically how Wisconsin would provide such coverage if the ACA is dismantled.”

  5. Kevin Scheunemann

    Nord,

    Myself, and Owen agreed with MacIver Institute on the legislative proposal in USA Today article.

    Stop bringing it up, we both denounced the legislative nonsense.

    I can think many reasons litigation material should not be released with the public.   there are provisions  in Open Records Law to keep litigation paperwork from being disclosed, so it does not hurt the litigation position of government unit.

    That is a far cry from shielding a note of encouragement from the public by Scott Walker to Tony Evers.

    It is disgusting to suggest these 2 things are morally equivalent.

     

  6. Le Roi du Nord

    k:

    You asked a question, I answered.  You obviously don’t like the idea that someone would call you on it.  So it goes.

  7. jjf

    Kevin, every administration has its problems with open records and open meetings.

    If you think Walker and Co. were clean, you’re wrong.  If you didn’t notice anything during his eight years, you weren’t paying attention.

    Here, let me google it for you.

  8. Kevin Scheunemann

    Nord,

    And I responded, and obliterated your absurdity.

  9. Le Roi du Nord

    Har, har.

  10. dad29

    Evers is as dumb as a chipmunk.  We have 45 more months of laughter coming.  Go long on popcorn.

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