LINCOLN- On Monday, during a panel discussion at the University of Nebraska College of Law, Attorney General Mike Hilgers stood his ground amid criticism that one of his recent legal opinions blocked access to information for two legislatively established inspectors general offices.

The opinion, issued in August, stated that the Inspectors General of Corrections and Child Welfare unconstitutionally infringed upon the power of the executive branch by having unfettered access to their computers and records. Sen. Danielle Conrad, who was alongside Hilgers on the panel, called the opinion "a political stunt" that has blocked the Legislature from fulfilling its overseeing duties.

Hilgers, a former Speaker of the Legislature, argued that state lawmakers have other options and other avenues through which they can obtain executive records, like subpoena power, which requires approval from the Legislature. Another, Hilgers said, would be charging the Performance Audit Committee of the Legislature to conduct audits of the Departments of Corrections and Health and Human Services.

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