Falk sends Walker request to explain himself

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Falk has sent Republican Gov. Scott Walker a letter asking him to explain why he signed a bill making it more difficult for discriminated workers to sue.

Falk and Democratic state Reps. Chris Taylor and Christine Sinicki sent the letter on Monday.

The bill that Walker signed earlier this month takes away the right of discriminated workers to sue employers in state court for compensatory and punitive damages. That right was extended in a 2009 law passed when Democrats controlled the Legislature.

A variety of business groups supported the law’s repeal, while trial attorneys and other advocacy groups supported keeping it.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the governor signed it because it removes a “duplicative and unnecessarily costly process” and discrimination victims can still sue in federal court.