Lawmakers from both parties objected to the surprise Republican measure.(Photo: File/AP)
Wisconsin lawmakers reversed course Saturday on a controversial move to dismantle the state's open records law.
After the proposed changes caused an uproar across the Badger State, Gov. Scott Walker and state legislative leaders said in a joint statement that they are removing the provisions from a budget bill.
The statement said the removal will allow for further debate on the issue outside of the budget process.
"The intended policy goal of these changes was to provide a reasonable solution to protect constituents' privacy and to encourage a deliberative process between elected officials and their staff in developing policy," the statement said. "It was never intended to inhibit transparent government in any way."
USA TODAY
Plan to curtail public records laws sparks uproar
The changes, added to the budget on a party-line vote Thursday, would have allowed lawmakers to draft bills in secret and hide their communications from the public. The changes would also have applied to local government officials, including school board members.
The changes would have made Wisconsin's rules unique in the country, according to the nonpartisan legislative agency that helps state lawmakers draft bills.
The proposal was condemned by media organizations, open government advocates and groups that spanned ideological lines.
The legislature will form a committee to study the issue and "allow for public discussion and input," according to the Saturday's joint statement.
Walker, who is preparing to run for the Republican presidential nomination, was asked about the issue by reporters before an Independence Day parade in Wauwatosa on Saturday morning. He said he planned to discuss the issue with lawmakers Monday.
"I think it's pretty clear they need to make some changes," Walker said, according to a video posted by the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Walker did not say who had originated the changes and whether he had initially objected.
"There are all sorts of ideas that float around the capitol," he said.
Contributing: The Associated Press and The (Appleton, Wis.) Post Crescent
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