Who visits Gov mansion? Still waiting to find out

It is not something that generates a lot of discussion at the water cooler, but it is important nonetheless. Just who has been visiting the Governor’s mansion in Madison? A liberal advocacy group submitted an open records request seeking the log of visitors to the Governor’s residence between Nov. 5, of last year through April 7 of this year. Not coincidentally, that is the time when Scott Walker began and ended his run for the presidency. It may be somewhat of a witch hunt. The group is looking for evidence that while Scott Walker was serving as Governor, he was keeping busy running for higher office. But what is troubling is the response to the group’s request. There was none. For six months. Then the group was told the records simply didn’t exist. That is despite a very clear state law that says government must respond to open records requests as soon as practicable and without delay. Six months is neither practicable or without delay. And it seems a little fishy that they have no record of who visited the Governor’s mansion. Especially since the law requires such information be kept. Again, most people probably don’t care who paid visits to Walker, or the purpose of their visit. But what is troubling is what appears to be a growing intolerance on the part of our politicians for releasing public records, despite very clear laws stating such information is to be transparent.