Kaul still not happy with settlement secrecy agreement

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul says he's not satisfied with a confidentiality agreement Republicans have signed to allow discussions on lawsuit settlements to proceed.

Republicans passed a law in a December lame-duck session that requires Kaul to get the Legislature's finance committee's permission before settling lawsuits. Kaul won't discuss any settlements unless committee members sign non-disclosure agreements.

Republicans hired attorney Andrew Phillips last week to sign a confidentiality agreement on the committee's behalf. Kaul's office has questioned whether the agreement applies to every committee member.

State Justice Department officials met with Phillips Wednesday morning. Asked about developments at the meeting, department spokeswoman Gillian Drummond said there's still no reason to think the agreement binds members and Kaul doesn't think it's sufficient.