Wisconsin elections board director praises new audit

MADISON — The director of Wisconsin's nonpartisan board that oversees elections and ethics says he is pleased with a new audit that found no significant problems with how it handles complaints about campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying.

Government Accountability Board director Kevin Kennedy said Thursday the audit "puts to rest any questions as to whether the six board members exercise independent judgment when they make decisions about complaints, investigations and penalties."

The Legislature Audit Bureau report recommends that the board consistently resolve complaints in a timely manner. It also recommends that board staff timely comply with the law by consistently providing the board with names of three qualified people who can be hired as a special investigator.

Republican lawmakers say they want to overhaul the board to make it more partisan.