AG candidates weigh in on transparency.

• Date: 07 October 2022
• Author: Anderson, Jonathan

Byline: Jonathan Anderson

Josh Kaul and Eric Toney are miles apart on many issues, but when it comes to open government, the candidates vying for Wisconsin attorney general in the Nov. 8 election agree: more money is needed to handle enforcement of the state's transparency laws.

The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council sent questionnaires to Kaul, the Democratic incumbent, and his Republican challenger, Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney.

The state Department of Justice, which the attorney general heads, is empowered by statute to interpret and enforce Wisconsin's public records and open meetings laws. The department's Office of Open Government handles that job, in addition to responding to public records requests.

In assessing the office's strengths and weaknesses, both candidates mentioned the office's processing times for handling public...