STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL J.B. VAN HOLLEN ON TODAY'S WISCONSIN APPEALS COURT DECISION IN THE GUNDERSON ZIEN MATTER
 

I am pleased with today's appeals court ruling upholding the long-standing principle that litigation commenced by and in the name of the state may not become the province of a private citizen.

Continuity in governance and the successive responsibilities of elected officials is fundamental to our democracy. I am not surprised the Wisconsin's appeals court ruled that it is for current, not former office holders, to carry out official actions.

As a protector of Wisconsin's open government laws, which include public records and open meeting obligations, I would remind those with particular interest in this matter that I had reached settlement terms related to the merits of this case, as they differ from today's ruling on "standing", that would have, if they had been approved, provided greater and more timely access to draft legislation than current law requires.