FORMER A.G. LOSES APPEAL
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 -- 11:34 AM
Former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager Monday lost her legal claim that legislators, including former State Senator Dave Zien, should have disclosed who helped them write a bill that would have legalized the carrying of concealed weapons in Wisconsin.According to the Court of Appeals ruling, Lautenschlager "lacked standing" as a private citizen to appeal a judge's decision dismissing the suit.
Lautenschlager was attorney general when she sued Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) and then-Sen. David Zien (R-Eau Claire) in 2005, arguing that the open records law should force disclosure of who they have shared drafts and worked with on the concealed carry law. Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed that bill, and the Legislature failed to override his veto.
Lawyers for Gunderson and Zien fought the lawsuit, saying a separate law exempts from public disclosure drafting records of bills before they are introduced into the Legislature.
Last year, Lautenschlager tried to appeal a Dane County judge's ruling in the case as a private citizen. That appeal was dismissed today.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.