Wisconsin Budget Committee Approves First Settlement

The Wisconsin Legislature passed 2017 Wisconsin Act 369 last December requiring the Department of Justice (DOJ) to get permission from the state Budget Committee before settling civil cases. Yesterday, the Budget Committee approved its first settlement.

The relatively uncontroversial settlement follows months of still unresolved dispute between the Budget Committee and the DOJ about the settlement process. The Budget Committee argues it cannot approve the roughly 18 settlements awaiting approval without more information. Attorney General Kaul claim he cannot provide the information unless the legislators sign confidentiality agreements, which they refuse to do.

Meanwhile, on October 21st, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in SEIU v. Robin Vos. The case challenges the constitutionality of Wisconsin Act 369, including the settlement provisions.