On November 2, 2021, the Upper Midwest Law Center filed a response to Attorney General Keith Ellison’s attempt to hide data from Minnesotans. UMLC’s brief, available here, shows that it is illegal for the AG to shield virtually any data his office touches from Minnesotans.
UMLC’s client, Energy Policy Advocates, has been seeking data related to the AG’s renting out of the powers of his office to outside special interests for over two years now. Attorney General Ellison has been allowing a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded “Impact Center” at the New York University School of Law to pay the salary of two lawyers to bring environmental lawsuits using the power of the State of Minnesota. Energy Policy Advocates simply asked to see the documents and communications with other state attorneys general related to this arrangement, which may violate state ethics laws.
In contrast to Ellison’s false claim that he has been transparent about renting out his office to special interests, Ellison’s office has kept data from Energy Policy Advocates. Energy Policy Advocates has had to file three lawsuits to get data from the AG, which refuses to be transparent.
The Upper Midwest Law Center believes that government transparency is essential to stop government abuse. If you agree with UMLC’s mission to uphold the rule of law and stop government overreach, please consider a confidential, tax-deductible donation which will help continue that mission for all Minnesotans and residents of the Upper Midwest.
