By: Associated Press//May 7, 2015//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans on the Legislature’s finance committee have approved creating a solicitor general’s office within the state Department of Justice.
DOJ officials asked Gov. Scott Walker to create the office in his state budget. The agency says it needs the office to help deal with appellate litigation.
Walker’s budget calls a five-person office for DOJ at a cost of about $1 million over the next two fiscal years but leaves it up to DOJ to find the money.
The finance committee voted 12-4 on Thursday to approve a slightly revised plan creating the office. The plan calls for using money won by prosecuting Medicaid, trust and environmental violations to fund the office and eliminates four vacant positions within the agency.
Minority Democrats on the committee said the office isn’t necessary.