Attorney General Candidate Responses to WEMTA Questions

Attorney General Candidate Responses

WEMTA asked every Attorney General candidate the following questions. Their responses are compiled below and appear in the order in which their names are listed on the ballot.

1. What do you believe the role of the attorney general is in relation to public education in Wisconsin?

Brad Schimel (R), Incumbent: Did not respond.

Josh Kaul (D): Our attorney general must work to make our schools safer. I believe Wisconsin should increase funding for mental health programs in schools and enact common-sense gun-safety measures, including universal background checks and a ban on bump stocks.

As a member of the BCPL, the AG must also work with the other members of the BCPL and BCPL staff members to ensure that the assets in the Common School Fund that benefit our public school libraries are managed appropriately. Our public school libraries don’t just promote reading; they ensure that students in Wisconsin have access to information and technology.

Terry Larson (Constitution Party): My primary function as attorney general is to see the laws of the state of Wisconsin are enforced, including any laws regarding public education.

2. Legislation introduced during the 2017-18 legislative session would have eliminated the requirement that Common School Fund distributions be given to school libraries. What is your position on this proposal?

Brad Schimel (R), Incumbent: Did not respond.

Josh Kaul (D): I oppose this proposal.

Terry Larson (Constitution Party): I have not read the legislation or proposal details. I am “by default” opposed to any reductions in funding of any kind to school or public libraries.

3. Legislation introduced during the 2017-18 legislative session would have ended the BCPL Trust Fund Loan Program. What is your position on this proposal?

Brad Schimel (R), Incumbent: Did not respond.

Josh Kaul (D): I oppose this proposal.

Terry Larson (Constitution Party): I have not read the legislation so cannot comment on this. I am “by default” opposed to making changes to trust funds left by those who came before us to care for.

4. How will you ensure that the Common School Fund and other BCPL trust funds are receiving all required deposits from fines, fees and forfeitures and other constitutionally required funding streams?

Brad Schimel (R), Incumbent: Did not respond.

Josh Kaul (D): I believe the AG should work with the other members of the BCPL and BCPL staff members to ensure that the clear proceeds of fines, fees, and forfeitures are deposited into the Common School Fund.

Terry Larson (Constitution Party): I am responsible as attorney general to see that anything “constitutionally required” happens. I would have to intervene if required funding streams are not received.

5. What issues or policies will you prioritize if elected? 

Brad Schimel (R), Incumbent: Did not respond.

Josh Kaul (D): I’m a former federal prosecutor, and I want my family -- and families throughout Wisconsin -- to live in a state that’s safer and stronger than we’re on track for right now.

I believe we need new leadership when it comes to fighting crime and getting justice for Wisconsinites. The opioid epidemic has been devastating for Wisconsin families and continues to get worse, and we have a growing meth problem. I believe we need to do more to ensure that enforcement efforts are targeting large-scale drug traffickers; we need to increase access to substance-abuse treatment; and we need to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for the role they played in creating and exacerbating the opioid epidemic.

As discussed above, I believe we need to do more to address school safety as well. While our current AG has criticized gun-free school zones and suggested that we consider arming teachers, I believe we must keep our gun-free school zones and I’m opposed to arming teachers. I also believe our AG must ensure that justice isn’t being delayed because of delays in the testing of evidence.

In addition, we need an AG who is independent, who will be a watchdog for Wisconsinites, and who will seriously and even-handedly enforce the laws that protect our environment and our consumer-protection laws.

Terry Larson (Constitution Party): My current list of priorities includes stopping several things in Wisconsin by enforcing state laws:

1. The enforcement of federal Supreme Court opinions as law upon Wisconsin citizens.

2. The destruction or removal of Civil War memorials or monuments including those for the Confederacy.

3. The creation of sanctuary areas for illegal aliens.

4. Infringements upon the freedom of speech or the right to bear arms which the citizens of Wisconsin have under both our federal and state constitutions.