"Real harm can come to county residents when sensitive medical information becomes available to landlords, employers, or neighborhood gossips. Just because someone is dependent on county services or has been ordered by a court to receive services, it doesn't mean that the county should not be held accountable for protecting its residents' privacy," writes ACLU Exec Director Chris Ahmuty to County Exec Scott Walker's office. "What standards does Milwaukee County have in place?"

Ahmuty suggests that the release may also be in violation of federal public health insurance regulations.

Which Side are You On? Campaign watchdogs at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign checked out the contributors to the state Supreme Court race between incumbent Louis Butler and Burnett County Judge Mike Gableman and found -- to no one's surprise -- that it's turning into a partisan race!

It's really no shock to find out that when the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce speaks, most state GOP faithful wag their tails in obedience. And WMC is spending a lot on behalf of Gableman. Democrats, on the other hand, are loyally circling their wagons around Butler. Last year's race between Annette Ziegler and Linda Crawford also sliced along similar partisan lines. So much for non-partisan judicial races in this state.

WDC found all but six of the 72 contributors who have given Butler $1,000 or more through Feb. 4 made all or most of their contributions from 2001 through June 30, 2007 to Democratic candidates for the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Twenty-six of the 29 contributors who gave Gableman $1,000 or more through Feb. 4 made all or most of their contributions from 2001 through June 30, 2007 to Republican candidates for legislative and partisan statewide races.

Among prominent Dems ponying up money for Butler is former governor and current lobbyist Martin Schreiber, who chipped in $2,500 for the effort. Gableman has the surprising support of long-time GOP backers from the Walton family, owners of Wal-Mart, who seem to have a fascination with Wisconsin politics despite living in Wyoming.

Jim, Lynn and Christy Walton each gave Gableman $2,000. The Waltons also back Milwaukee County Exec Scott Walker and regularly dabble in Milwaukee School Board elections, supporting pro-voucher school candidates.

Speaking of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, its HQ in Madison was flanked by protesters earlier this week who were drawing attention to WMC's campaign practices in the Supreme Court race. The group, led by former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, criticized WMC for spending millions of dollars in the court race, but not disclosing where it got the money from. WMC also threw its weight around in the attorney general's race on behalf of J.B. VanHollen.

Update: The owners of Kilbourn Tower apparently won't get off just paying their tab with the city, but will have to include some interest, too. A Common Council committee voted to reject a proposed settlement with Kilbourn Tower that included the $950,000 the tower's owners agreed to pay for a "pocket park" on the corner of Kilbourn and Prospect, but asked that the city give up interest on the bill worth more than $300,000.

The developers refused to pay for the controversial piece of land after the city allowed the University Club Tower to be built next door, claiming the city reneged on the agreement. This, even though Kilbourn Tower and its high-end condos was still built and presumably is profitable.