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Vukmir, Group at Odds Over Her Release of Public Records

Senator Leah Vukmir and an investigative group have differing viewpoints, over whether she's turned over all public records the group requested.

The Madison-based Center for Media and Democracy has been demanding Vukmir release all records she has related to an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference in May.  ALEC bills itself as a conservative organization that brings together lawmakers and business leaders to craft model bills for state legislatures to consider.

Vukmir says she has complied with the center's demand by releasing all required documents. The center says she's turned over nine page, and it believes there are more, so it's suing the Republican senator.

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is defending Vukmir. He says lawmakers must abide by Wisconsin's open records laws, but the state constitution protects legislators from being sued while in session, and the session lasts for their elected term.

Vukmir is ALEC’s treasurer.

The Center for Media and Democracy describes itself as a group that investigates entities attempting to shape public policy.