Wisconsin’s Open Records Law allows any person to obtain any document in the possession of state and local government officials, with limited exceptions. But, unlike in some other states, there is no set time limit.
Author Archives: Bill Lueders
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Redaction costs threaten police video access
A new state law allows law enforcement to charge for the cost of redacting video and audio records. It needs to be clarified, if not repealed.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Opees honor efforts to promote transparency
For the 18th straight year, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council is recognizing outstanding efforts to protect the state’s tradition of open government through its Openness in Government awards, or Opees.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Protect the press against bogus lawsuits
Local news outlets serve an invaluable function and deserve protection against those who seek to shut them up.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Record delays are contrary to the law
It’s a problem that has grown markedly worse in recent years, as agencies have gotten bolder in exploiting the lack of specificity in the state’s open records law regarding the question of “How long is too long?”
Posted inNews & Announcements, Opinion
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council names ‘Opee’ winners
A group of residents concerned about the impact of a local park redevelopment, a school board member who blew the whistle on his colleagues, and a longtime city official who has made a habit of accessibility are among the winners in this year’s Openness Awards bestowed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Wisconsin taxpayers still paying for election fraud probe records fights
Many people in Wisconsin are under the impression that the disastrous probe into the state’s 2020 presidential election conducted by former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman is over, as are its costs to taxpayers. They’re wrong.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: When transparency is treated with contempt
Most of the time, public officials in Wisconsin obey the state’s openness laws. Sometimes, they need a little prodding from the courts. But the recent conduct of Robin Vos and Michael Gableman is something altogether new, and deeply disturbing.
Posted inNews & Announcements, News about Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council names ‘Opee’ winners
The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council announces the winners in this year’s Openness Awards, or ‘Opees.’ They will be
presented at the Wisconsin Watchdog Awards reception and dinner, on Thursday,
April 21. Register here.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Record location fees invite abuses
A member of the public or representative of the press will file a request under Wisconsin’s open records law, which applies to all state and local government entities. But instead of records, the requester gets a bill.
Posted inOpinion
The ‘Opees’ in the age of COVID-19
For the 15th consecutive year, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council is presenting its Openness in Government Awards, or Opees, recognizing outstanding achievement in the cause of transparency. Several of this years’ awards are related to the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced wholesale changes in how government officials conduct the public’s business. All are predicated on upholding the public’s right to know.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: State must do more to promote openness
Last January, a person involved in local emergency management asked the Office of Open Government whether emergency preparedness coalitions run by the Wisconsin DHS are subject to the state’s open meetings and open records laws. The answer is yes — but arriving at this answer took nearly a year, which should not have happened.