Kaul signals he won’t represent state in lame-duck lawsuit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Attorney General Josh Kaul is signaling he likely won’t represent the state in the latest lawsuit challenging Wisconsin Republicans’ lame-duck laws.

The laws weaken the powers of Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers, both Democrats. A coalition of unions filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the laws violate the separation-of-powers doctrine. The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit challenging the laws last month.

Kaul declined to comment to reporters on Tuesday on whether he would represent the state in the unions’ lawsuit. But he noted he decided not to defend the state in the League of Women Voters lawsuit because the laws affect the state Justice Department, leading to a conflict of interest.