Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds lame-duck laws

Site staff by Site Contributor

The conservative-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court has upheld Republican-authored lame-duck laws limiting the powers of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul.

The court handed down the decision Friday.

A group of liberal-leaning organizations led by the League of Women Voters sued in January alleging legislators convened illegally to pass the laws in December.

The executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Erin Grunze, said she is disappointed by Friday’s ruling.

“Wisconsin voters put their trust in their Legislature to operate with transparency and to respect constitutional limits. As an organization dedicated to serving these voters, the League will continue the work of protecting the public’s trust in the rule of law,” Grunze said.

The president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, Chris Carson, added the following statement.

“Today’s decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court undermines the will of Wisconsin voters. The Wisconsin State Legislature’s actions defied the democratic process, which is a major blow to our democracy as a whole. The League remains dedicated to defending the will of voters, despite today’s decision,” Carson said.

Republican leaders with the Wisconsin Legislature say they are pleased by today’s ruling.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos issued part of the following statement.

“The Court upheld a previously non-controversial practice used by both parties for decades to enact some of the most important laws in the state. This lawsuit, pursued by special interests of Governor Evers, has led to an unnecessary waste of taxpayer resources. We urge the governor to work with the Legislature instead of pursuing his political agenda through the courts.”

Evers bemoaning ruling

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is bemoaning the ruling.

The Democratic governor on Friday called the ruling a disappointment and “all too predictable.”

He says the decision is “based on a desired political outcome, not the plain meaning and text of the constitution.”

Evers also said the constitution was designed to prevent lawmakers from quickly passing laws without public scrutiny. He calls the lame-duck session “an attack on the will of the people, our democracy, and our system of government.”

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