Wisc. Judge Green-Lights Suit To Rein In Bloomberg-Backed Climate Activism

A Wisconsin judge has given the green light to a lawsuit filed by dairy industry groups against the state’s Justice Department and attorney general, who entered into an agreement with one of New York University School of Law’s climate activism projects, which is funded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The program in question provides funding for “special assistant” staffers in state attorneys general offices. The lawsuit argues that since the goal is to further the center’s climate advocacy, the arrangement amounts to the state granting attorney general authorities to a special-interest group.

Forbes Magazine’s “2025 Billionaire List” places Bloomberg as the 14th wealthiest person in the world, with a net worth estimated at $105 billion. His financial news organization, Bloomberg News, also publishes a “Billionaire’s Index” of what it calls “a daily ranking of the world’s richest people.” Mike Bloomberg’s name is conspicuously absent from that list.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat who signed the deal with the center in 2021, had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, but Calumet County Circuit Court Judge Carey Reed earlier this month denied the motion. Since taxpayer funds pay the special assistant’s travel expenses, bar dues and court fees, Reed ruled, the plaintiffs have a legally protected interest in challenging the contract with NYU.

“Plaintiffs appear to be opposed to both how the fellow was acquired and what she will do in her role. These parties clearly have adverse interests. Plaintiffs have a legal interest to contest governmental actions leading to what they believe is an illegal expenditure of taxpayer funds,” the judge wrote.