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Wisconsin Republicans' Plan to Limit Powers of New Democratic Governor Just Hit a Major Roadblock
Victory.
A Wisconsin judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking a law signed by former Republican Governor Scott Walker limiting the executive authority of Tony Evers and Josh Kaul, the state's new Democratic governor and attorney general.
Walker signed the law in a last-minute lame-duck legislative session.
Amidst national outcry, Walker denied the legislation was politically motivated, writing on Facebook that Evers still maintained "some of the broadest line-item veto authority of any governor in the nation.”
At the heart of the debacle was a promise Evers made during the campaign that he would withdraw the state from a lawsuit challenging Obamacare.
“The law will limit the governor’s ability to pass administrative rules and block him from killing a provision that would impose a work requirement on Medicaid recipients,” Reuters reported at the time. “In addition, the legislation will allow legislators, rather than the attorney general, to decide whether to withdraw the state from lawsuits.”
Some of the aforementioned powers would have been transferred to the Republican-controlled state legislature.
On Thursday, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess blocked the law from taking effect and refused to grant Republicans' request to delay his own order.
Evers lauded the ruling on Twitter.
"Today's ruling is a victory for the people of Wisconsin and for preserving the Wisconsin Constitution."
Today's ruling is a victory for the people of Wisconsin and for preserving the Wisconsin Constitution.— Governor Tony Evers (@Governor Tony Evers) 1553187247.0
Evers wrote that the Republican-dominated "overplayed its hand by using an unlawful process to accumulate more power for itself and override the will of the people, despite the outcome of last November's election," adding that he "looks forward to putting this disappointing chapter behind us so we can move forward together to put the needs of the people of Wisconsin first."
I look forward to putting this disappointing chapter behind us so we can move forward together to put the needs of… https://t.co/nJkfTo1RvQ— Governor Tony Evers (@Governor Tony Evers) 1553187247.0
Wisconsonites voted Walker out because they were tired of Republican antics, and surprise! they still are.
@GovEvers Cheaters should never win. Let’s hope the decision stands.— John C. Krizek (@John C. Krizek) 1553190034.0
@GovEvers It is such a relief to be rid of Scott Walker and Brad Schimmel from WI power seats and to have such a gr… https://t.co/cqJISjMuSn— Chriscee (@Chriscee) 1553192125.0
@GovEvers The Majority of WI is with you Governor! Keep fighting the Good Fight!— Betsy C (@Betsy C) 1553193150.0
@GovEvers Finally, common sense over GOP powergrabs— 🚴♂️ 🌊 Kas S 🌊 🚴♂️ (@🚴♂️ 🌊 Kas S 🌊 🚴♂️) 1553190270.0
@GovEvers @ForOurFutureWI CONGRATULATIONS, WHEN THEY PULLED THOSE TRICKS AFTER THEY WERE VOTED OUT , WE ALL SAW HOW LOW THEY'D GO— ToniConfid (@ToniConfid) 1553188866.0
The law was subject to a lawsuit filed in January by a league of progressive groups - including the League of Women Voters, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Black Leaders Organizing for Communities - arguing that the "extraordinary session" called by Republicans after Walker's loss was unconstitutional.
“The Wisconsin Constitution does not provide for the Legislature, let alone a small subset of each chamber acting through committees, to convene itself in an ‘extraordinary session,’ and neither does any statute,” the plaintiffs wrote in their filing.
On Thursday, they celebrated their win, which is a victory for everyone in Wisconsin - okay, everyone except for Republicans.
“Today’s court ruling is a victory for the people of Wisconsin, who are entitled to a government that represents their interests transparently, welcomes citizens’ input, and respects the limits of its constitutional authority," the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Erin Grunze, said in a statement. "As an organization dedicated to voting rights and informed participation in government, we feel vindicated that the court saw the Legislature’s ‘extraordinary session’ for what it was—an unconstitutional act that harmed Wisconsin voters and taxpayers.”
Niess's ruling has Republicans irked but undeterred.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) and state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) have vowed to appeal the ruling.
"For decades the Legislature has used extraordinary sessions that have been widely supported by members of both parties," they said in a statement. "The most recent extraordinary session was held for Governor Evers’ Budget Address."
Statement from @SenFitzgerald and @SpeakerVos on ruling: "For decades the Legislature has used extraordinary sessio… https://t.co/49uL7teae4— Molly Beck (@Molly Beck) 1553185580.0
State Representative Jim Steineke (R), a self-described fan of cow farts, also lamented the ruling.
"It truly is March Madness," said Steineke, in a retweet of himself. "Disappointed, but not surprised that yet another Dane County judge has issued a partisan political ruling that will inevitably be overturned by a higher court."
It truly is March Madness...disappointed, but not surprised that yet another Dane County judge has issued a partisa… https://t.co/QWrAO5JBkE— Rep. Jim Steineke (@Rep. Jim Steineke) 1553185248.0
What a bunch of hot air.
@bvmaryp @RepSteineke I doubt @RepSteineke can answer that question. But when their committees called a special s… https://t.co/KzaP5dEdvI— Andy Olsen (@Andy Olsen) 1553191057.0
@RepSteineke You're wrong. This ruling will not be overturned. Republicans in the legislature can't control everyth… https://t.co/rGmoEkelWP— Michael Miller (@Michael Miller) 1553193498.0
@RepSteineke Such projection! You attempted to rewrite Wisconsin law based on which political party holds office… https://t.co/VTerZt0XRQ— Andy Olsen (@Andy Olsen) 1553186899.0
It just gets weirder and weirder.
@RepSteineke @jimsteineke Retweeting yourself is like giving yourself a nickname— Hammer (@Hammer) 1553185592.0
@RepSteineke Don't let this distract you from the fact that this man liked his own tweet with his second account.— Noah Ramthun (@Noah Ramthun) 1553188008.0
A good day for democracy.