Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu yesterday announced a special committee that will do a comprehensive review of the state DOJ’s “operations, priorities and external influences” affecting the agency.
DOJ spokesperson Riley Vetterkind called the move an “obviously partisan stunt” and argued the Legislature should be “helping to address affordability, keep kids safe online, and protect access to safe and clean drinking water.”
The Special Committee on Oversight of the Wisconsin Department of Justice will be led by Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, with a charge to issue a final report and recommendations by April 14.
“This special committee will ensure that the Department of Justice, an agency created and funded by the Legislature, is operating within its statutory authority and serving the public interest—not the agenda of third parties or outside organizations,” said LeMahieu, R-Oostburg.
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The Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative have a lawsuit pending in Calumet County Court challenging Kaul’s decision to use an attorney paid by New York University Law School to serve as a special assistant working on environmental cases.
A judge earlier this year rejected Kaul’s attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed. While NYU pays the attorney’s salary, the judge found the use of taxpayer funds to cover travel expenses, bar dues and court fees gave the groups grounds standing to sue.
LeMahieu announced the committee’s creation after WisPolitics interviewed Kaul today. During the interview, the AG declined to discuss specifics of the pending suit, but expressed confidence that DOJ had acted appropriately and will be successful in defending its actions in the lawsuit.
“You know, identifying ways that we can ensure that we’ve got resources, if it serves the interest of Wisconsinites and it’s something that’s appropriate, is always something that we’re interested in,” Kaul said.
Along with Felzkowski, LeMahieu appointed: Sens. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee; André Jacque, R-New Franken; and Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto.
There are also two spots that will be filled at the recommendation of Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton.
Hesselbein’s office said it received a Senate Org ballot on Friday that set a deadline today to vote on the creation of a special committee without offering any details. Her office wasn’t aware it pertained to DOJ until today.
Hesselbein called it “an unnecessary and partisan witch hunt that will not do a single thing to improve the lives of the people we serve.”
