Madison — A prominent state lawmaker has settled an open records lawsuit by a Minocqua newspaper.
Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona), co-chairman of the Joint Finance Committee, agreed to a settlement of $4,447 paid by the state to end the case and cover part of the legal costs for The Lakeland Times. Miller, who ultimately released the records to the newspaper, didn't acknowledge any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
The Times filed its lawsuit in April after waiting three months without receiving the records from Miller.
The newspaper argued that Miller had violated the part of the records law that requires public officials to turn requested documents over "as soon as practicable and without delay." Miller had argued that the request was large and was made during a busy part of the legislative session, making it impossible for him to respond more quickly.
