Transparency and Accountability Matters

POLICY BRIEF | WILL Budget Briefing: A Deep Dive into Gov. Evers' 2023-25 Budget

Governor Tony Evers delivered his 2023-25 state budget address last Wednesday night. Overall, the governor’s proposal represented a leftward lurch in policy, replete with massive new spending and symbolic proposals that would check the box for various interest groups–while doing real harm to Wisconsin families.

WILL's policy brief highlights these key provisions in the budget proposal, and shines a light on the areas where legislators and Wisconsinites need to pay attention.

NEW | WILL Releases Updated School Data Dashboard for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

WILL is excited to announce its update of the School Data Dashboard, which now includes data for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

This comprehensive, interactive tool provides a snapshot of student proficiency, district funding and district-related information for every school district in the state–imported from DPI. This user-friendly resource now includes important data regarding administrative staffing levels, showing which districts are allocating resources to teachers in the classroom. 

Check it out and let us know what you think. Share the WILL School Data Dashboard with your network on social media. Forward this email to other parents, teachers, and school board members so they can use it too! 

NEW | WILL Supports Open Government Protection Act

Last Tuesday, Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) released The Open Government Protection Act (LRB-1777/LRB-1199). The legislation would make clear that a party “prevails,” and may recover their attorney fees under state law, when a government agency releases records after a lawsuit is filed. WILL proudly supports this important policy reform, which reflects recommendations from our July 2022 report “Broken Records: A Call for Legislative Reform in Wisconsin Public Records Law.”

🗯 WILL Deputy Counsel, Lucas Vebber, stated, “The ability to request public records is vital to ensuring transparent and accountable government. Sadly, WILL has seen its fair share of Open Records Requests unfulfilled or simply ignored by government actors. It is the government’s duty to respond to citizens efficiently and in a timely manner—this bill ensures accountability when government tries to avoid transparency.” 

NEW | WILL Hires New Communications Director

WILL announced the hire of its new Communications Director, Pat Garrett, who will help manage the communications, messaging, and digital marketing efforts for the expanding non-profit law and policy center.

🗯 WILL President and General Counsel, Rick Esenberg, said, “WILL continues to drive the pro-freedom movement in Wisconsin and across the country. Our attorneys and policy team know how to get results for our clients and the American people. I am excited to welcome Pat Garrett to our growing team.”

WILL Communications Director, Pat Garrett, said, “WILL has continued to set the standard for defending freedom and the rule of law in the courtroom as well as in the court of public opinion. It’s an honor to join this incredibly talented team.”

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The work we do would not be possible without the generosity of our donors; we are a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization that receives no public funds. As a non-profit and non-partisan organization, we litigate in the areas of equality under the law, property rights, the freedom to earn a living, voting rights, regulation, taxation, school choice, and religious freedom. As an educational organization, we strive to advance the debate concerning law and public policy in these and other areas.

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