Wis. Stat. § 230.20: Recommendations.

(1) Selection of classified state employees shall be based solely on merit and no employment recommendation shall be based on political or religious affiliations or on membership in associations not primarily related to merit in employment.

(2) An appointing authority may consider only those recommendations which he or she believes provide an objective evaluation of an applicant’s character, training, experience, skills or abilities as they relate to the requirements for the position.