Kaul, finance committee to discuss lawsuit settlements

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul and Republicans who control the Legislature’s finance committee are going to talk about settling seven lawsuits after negotiations broke down last week.

A law Republicans passed during a lame-duck session in December requires Kaul to get the committee’s permission before settling any lawsuit. Kaul and the committee met Aug. 27 to hash out a process but the meeting collapsed when Kaul refused to discuss an unknown lawsuit unless committee members signed non-disclosure agreements.

Republicans hired an attorney Thursday to sign a confidentiality agreement on the committee’s behalf. The committee issued a notice Tuesday afternoon that it will meet Wednesday to discuss settling seven lawsuits. The cases all involve state liens on injury awards to repay Medicaid for treatment.