UPDATE #1: Just checked around, and found this story, Doyle's already said no! So we need to keep up pressure on the Legislature and Van Hollen, good work so far!
Update #2: Thanks to Uranus Hz in the comments for this: There is a petition already to "Tell JB Van Hollen - Not in our name, not on our dime."
Saw this in the news this morning, and haven't seen it around here, so I thought I'd spread the word. Wisconsin's Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is asking Governor Jim Doyle, as well as the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate for permission to join the suit that's been filed by 13 other A.G.s against the recently passed health care reform.
UPDATE #3: Russ Decker, Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader, isn't going to take Van Hollen's shit. And the New York Times calls Van Hollen out on hypocrisy when his spokeperson stated 3 days ago; ''the role of the state attorneys general and the courts is not to veto those policy choices made be elected officials -- that would be decidedly undemocratic.''
UPDATE #4, possibly Final Update: Per this story originating from Madison ABC affiliate WKOW, Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson has called Van Hollen's actions 'wrong', making very unlikely the Assembly is going to approve Van Hollen's request either.
Van Hollen, a Republican A.G., would prefer to have approval from all three before moving forward, though if even one gives the okay, he can go ahead and try to join in the suit. The good news is that the Senate and Assembly are under Democratic control, and Doyle is a Dem governor, and it seems unlikely that any of them will give permission.
Still, contacting Van Hollen, Doyle, and both houses of the Legislature to ensure this attempt falls flat would be a good way to send a message that it would be a waste of time and money for the state, and for Van Hollen to stop trying to score political points.
Contact Information
Attorney General J.B Van Hollen
Wisconsin Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857
Phone: 608-266-1221
Fax: 608-267-2779
Governor Jim Doyle
Madison Office
P.O. Box 7863
Madison, WI 53707
608-266-1212
Northern Office
400 4th Avenue South
Park Falls, WI 54552
715-762-5900
Milwaukee Office
Room 560
819 North 6th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-227-4344
Wisconsin Legislature (Phone only)
In Madison: 266-9960
Toll-free: 1-800-362-9472
There's some more info in this news story by the local CBS affiliate in Madison. If anyone knows of any other contact info or petitions against Van Hollen's attempts, feel free to provide links.