Christa Westerberg, vice president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

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Content referencing Christa Westerberg

Your Right to Know: Decision To Reopen Court Conferences To Public Was A Good Move
Your Right to Know

Decision To Reopen Court Conferences To Public Was A Good Move

For first time since 2012, public can can watch court consider administrative changes.

Prosser Won’t Name Others Advising On Protasiewicz Impeachment

Prosser Won’t Name Others Advising On Protasiewicz Impeachment

American Oversight has sued, demanding Vos name other members of panel.

Your Right To Know: How to Have a More Transparent 2023
Your Right To Know

How to Have a More Transparent 2023

State and local governments can improve on open records. Attorney General should lead the way.

Judge Blasts Gableman Probe, Deleted Records

Judge Blasts Gableman Probe, Deleted Records

Mr. Gableman is 'not capable of conducting a professional and thorough investigation.’

Taxpayers Footing Bill for Election Review Records Lawsuit

Taxpayers Footing Bill for Election Review Records Lawsuit

Lawsuit was filed seeking public records related to partisan 2020 election review.

Op Ed: High Court Leaves Kohler-Andrae At Risk
Op Ed

High Court Leaves Kohler-Andrae At Risk

State Supreme Court decision leaves just one obstacle to land swap for Kohler golf course.

Your Right to Know: Open Records Law Treated With Contempt
Your Right to Know

Open Records Law Treated With Contempt

Both Vos and Gableman cited for contempt of court for trashing open records law.

Judge Lifts Contempt Order for Speaker Vos

Judge Lifts Contempt Order for Speaker Vos

Assembly Speaker Vos faced contempt of court related to missing records in partisan election review.

The State of Politics: Why Gableman Courts Controversy
The State of Politics

Why Gableman Courts Controversy

His latest blowup in the courtroom is part of a pattern.

Judge Fines Gableman for Contempt of Court

Judge Fines Gableman for Contempt of Court

Gableman sued for not filling election review record requests. Judge says he "discredited the profession."

Gableman’s Office Held in Contempt of Court

Gableman’s Office Held in Contempt of Court

Office of Special Prosecutor held in contempt after failing to turn over records related to partisan election review.

Judge Orders Gableman Stop Deleting Records

Judge Orders Gableman Stop Deleting Records

Michael Gableman has been deleting emails, text messages related to partisan election review.

Judge Ends Search for Deleted Emails, Texts From Vos’ Phone

Judge Ends Search for Deleted Emails, Texts From Vos’ Phone

Assembly Speaker has turned over almost 20,000 deleted emails from his state account, attorney says.

Judge Presses Attorney for Vos on Election Probe Records

Judge Presses Attorney for Vos on Election Probe Records

Attorney hasn’t seen records, doesn’t know where they are.

Your Right To Know: Bill Lueders Inducted into Freedom of Information Hall of Fame
Your Right To Know

Bill Lueders Inducted into Freedom of Information Hall of Fame

The editor of The Progressive, has been a champion for government transparency.

Your Right To Know: Attorney Fees Key to Open Records
Your Right To Know

Attorney Fees Key to Open Records

If those filing court actions get attorney fees paid they are more likely to request open records.

Your Right To Know: Release Business Names With COVID-19 Outbreaks
Your Right To Know

Release Business Names With COVID-19 Outbreaks

Let the public make informed decisions about their own safety.

Your Right to Know: Pollution Records Shouldn’t Be a Secret
Your Right to Know

Pollution Records Shouldn’t Be a Secret

Bipartisan bill requires government pollution test results to be disclosed in a timely fashion.

Op Ed: Robin Vos Stonewalls on Public Records
Op Ed

Robin Vos Stonewalls on Public Records

John Q. Public can’t get anything from Assembly Speaker

Lame Duck Laws Opposed Overwhelmingly

Lame Duck Laws Opposed Overwhelmingly

Records show Legislature fielded nearly 48,000 contacts from people and 98% opposed lame duck laws.

Your Right to Know: Abrahamson Let the Sunshine In
Your Right to Know

Abrahamson Let the Sunshine In

For decades Justice Abrahamson was state Supreme Court’s foremost champion of open records.

Your Right to Know: Kaul Embraces Opens Records Policy
Your Right to Know

Kaul Embraces Opens Records Policy

State Attorney General settles lawsuit, changes predecessor's policy of withholding emails.

CMD Wins Reversal of Restrictive DOJ Public Records Policy
Press Release

CMD Wins Reversal of Restrictive DOJ Public Records Policy

Group obtains more than 3,000 records relating to former Attorney General Schimel’s war on the Affordable Care Act

Wind Project Whips Up Controversy

Wind Project Whips Up Controversy

Some neighbors oppose 24 wind turbine proposal in Green County near state's border.

Judge Rules Against Kohler Golf Course

Judge Rules Against Kohler Golf Course

Concludes DNR permit to fill wetland invalid, significant environmental damage could be caused.

Federal Court Sides With One Wisconsin Now in Twitter Blocking Lawsuit Against Republican State Representatives
Press Release

Federal Court Sides With One Wisconsin Now in Twitter Blocking Lawsuit Against Republican State Representatives

‘A Victory for Open, Transparent and Accountable Government’

DNR Staff Pressured On Kohler Golf Course?

DNR Staff Pressured On Kohler Golf Course?

Former employee says staff were pushed to approve development that will hurt area’s rare dunes, wetlands.

Attorney General Schimel Withholds Documents Related to His Legal War Against the Affordable Care Act
Press Release

Attorney General Schimel Withholds Documents Related to His Legal War Against the Affordable Care Act

CMD files suit to obtain public records from Wisconsin DOJ

Op Ed: Please Rescind Walker’s Open Records Award
Op Ed

Please Rescind Walker’s Open Records Award

Letter to state Freedom of Information Council cites governor’s poor record on “Openess."

One Wisconsin Now Seeks Summary Judgement in Lawsuit Over Republican State Representatives Twitter ‘Blocking’
Press Release

One Wisconsin Now Seeks Summary Judgement in Lawsuit Over Republican State Representatives Twitter ‘Blocking’

‘The Facts in the Case and First Amendment to U.S. Constitution Are Clear’

Your Right to Know: Open Records Can Protect Your Health
Your Right to Know

Open Records Can Protect Your Health

For Milwaukee, La Crosse and Tomah, stonewalling on health records has endangered people’s health.

Your Right to Know: Secretive Votes by Legislature Are Wrong
Your Right to Know

Secretive Votes by Legislature Are Wrong

Voting by mailed ballots rather than in person violates open government.

Your Right To Know: Schimel Stonewalls on Open Records
Your Right To Know

Schimel Stonewalls on Open Records

AG has championed public’s right to know — except for videos involving him.

Your Right to Know: Will Supreme Court Rule for Transparency?
Your Right to Know

Will Supreme Court Rule for Transparency?

Three cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court challenge the public's right to know.

Your Right to Know: Concerns Linger Over “Transitory” Records
Your Right to Know

Concerns Linger Over “Transitory” Records

State Public Records Board rescinds earlier decision restricting open records but loophole remains.

Walker Aides Ordered To Avoid State Phones, Email?

Walker Aides Ordered To Avoid State Phones, Email?

Two cabinet members say Huebsch instructed them to use private channels for state business.

Cruel and Unusual: Wisconsin Curbs Solitary Confinement
Cruel and Unusual

Wisconsin Curbs Solitary Confinement

State joins national reform movement, but prisoner advocates say more could be done.

Walker Still Mum On Role Curbing Public Records

Walker Still Mum On Role Curbing Public Records

Legislature's proposal used language previously crafted by Walker administration, but governor and Vos won't discuss governor's involvement. Update of story published on July 3rd.

Your Right to Know: Walker Action Restricts Public Records
Your Right to Know

Walker Action Restricts Public Records

Administration claims records of staff's preliminary analysis should be withheld. Critics argue that's illegal and makes governor less transparent than legislators.

Cruel and Unusual: Journalists Sue State Dept of Corrections For Records
Cruel and Unusual

Journalists Sue State Dept of Corrections For Records

Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism requested records on inmate treatment under open records but state won't release them.

Op-Ed: Cops in Shootings Should Be Promptly Named
Op-Ed

Cops in Shootings Should Be Promptly Named

Police Chief Flynn waited more than five months to identify officer who shot Dontre Hamilton. The public deserves better.

Expert panel goes “On the Issues” to discuss freedom of information and role of the media in the age of Snowden and WikiLeaks