CONTACT: Amy Hasenberg, (608) 266-2839
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker today highlighted openness in Wisconsin’s government with a proclamation for Sunshine Week which runs from March 11 to March 17. Sunshine Week is celebrated annually, nationwide, to promote open government and greater access to public records.
“We are committed to openness and transparency in this administration,” said Governor Walker. “Since we took office in 2011, my office has released more than 6.2 million pages of records to the public, and we’ve gone above and beyond the requirements of the law. I am pleased to honor Sunshine Week, not only with an official proclamation but also with the concrete actions we’ve taken over the last several years to improve government transparency in Wisconsin.”
Governor Walker has issued executive orders directing state agencies to enhance openness. These orders created a requirement for agencies to report the number of public records requests received, completed, and the average time taken to fulfill those requests—that information is available here; a requirement to post all open meeting notices and meetings minutes to the Wisconsin public notices website; a standardization of best practices for fees charged for public records in order to limit the expenses for requestors; and a requirement providing public records resources and training for all employees and members of all boards, councils, and commissions attached to agencies; and many other changes.
Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council awarded Governor Walker with the 2018 Political Openness Award due to the improvements in government openness.
“We greatly appreciate the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council for recognizing our office with the Political Openness Award this year,” Governor Walker continued.
From the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council:
Political Openness Award (“Popee”): Scott Walker
Last March, for the second year in a row, Wisconsin’s governor issued an executive order directing state agencies to improve their performance on open records requests. It directs them to track and post their record response times and limits how much they can charge.
It also requires “regular training for all employees and members of all boards, councils, and commissions.” Walker’s efforts in this area, including his executive order in 2016, are much appreciated.
