A coalition of dairy farmers has filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, accusing him of allowing outside environmental activists to influence state policies. The lawsuit, brought by the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance, Venture Dairy Cooperative, and lobbyist Lane Ruhland, claims that Kaul appointed a special assistant attorney general (SAAG) funded by a third-party group with left-leaning environmental interests.
Legal Battle Over Alleged Conflicts of Interest
The lawsuit, filed on February 20, centers on Karen Heineman, an environmental SAAG allegedly paid not by Wisconsin taxpayers, but by New York University’s (NYU) School of Law State Energy and Environmental Impact Center (SEEIC). This center, initially funded by billionaire climate activist and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, was created to support legal action on environmental policies.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly entered into an agreement with NYU in 2024 to place Heineman in her role, raising serious concerns among Wisconsin farmers. According to court documents, Heineman’s $90,000 salary comes entirely from the NYU-funded center—not from the state budget.
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Farmers Push Back Against Outsider Influence
The lawsuit questions whether Wisconsin’s DOJ is effectively ‘for sale’ to outside interests, allowing Bloomberg-backed environmental activists to dictate policies that impact agriculture and dairy industries. The dairy groups argue that this setup gives NYU and Bloomberg insiders unprecedented access to influence Wisconsin’s environmental litigation and regulations.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the arrangement violates Wisconsin law and contradicts public policy by allowing a third-party-funded attorney to hold power within the state government.
Environmental Regulations vs. Farming Operations
The SEEIC’s influence extends beyond Wisconsin, reportedly supporting over 300 legal actions against businesses and industries during the Trump administration’s first two years. The group’s stated mission includes advancing policies related to environmental justice and clean energy, priorities that many farmers fear will lead to increased regulations, costly penalties, and legal disputes.
Venture Dairy Cooperative and the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance argue that these external forces are disrupting agricultural operations and imposing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Their lawsuit points to a broader issue—whether state attorneys general should be accepting outside funding from politically aligned groups.
Bloomberg’s Climate Agenda and Its Reach
According to the lawsuit, Bloomberg’s NYU center has been strategically placing attorneys in multiple attorneys general offices nationwide to push for climate-focused litigation and regulations. A blog post from the SEEIC’s website argues that U.S. climate goals cannot be met without reforming the agricultural sector, suggesting that changes in livestock feeding, manure management, irrigation, and soil practices are necessary.
Critics argue that these policies favor environmental activism over the economic stability of farmers, leading to heavy fines and operational restrictions. Wisconsin dairy farms have already faced settlements ranging from $30,000 to $250,000 over wastewater disposal disputes.
Republican Leaders Speak Out
Republican Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany, a former dairy farmer, has voiced concerns about the outsized influence of billionaire-backed environmental groups on state policies.
“Wisconsin farmers should not be subjected to outside interests that don’t understand their industry,” Tiffany stated. “It’s deeply troubling that Bloomberg-funded attorneys are embedded within our own government, working against the very people who drive our economy.”
Oramel H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, echoed these concerns, warning that left-wing activists are using legal strategies to reshape American society under the guise of climate justice.
“This is part of a larger effort to control industries and consumer choices,” Skinner said. “It’s not just about dairy farmers—it’s about who gets to decide what businesses can and cannot do.”
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What’s Next for Wisconsin’s Dairy Industry?
The lawsuit against Josh Kaul and his office highlights a growing national debate over how much influence outside groups should have on state policies. Farmers, business owners, and policymakers will be closely watching this case, as its outcome could have far-reaching consequences for agriculture, environmental law, and state governance.
For now, Wisconsin’s dairy industry remains at a critical crossroads, facing legal battles that could determine the future of state farming regulations and government accountability.
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