MADISON, WI (AP) — A Madison judge has issued a temporary injunction block Wisconsin Republicans’ contentious lame-duck laws limiting Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s powers.

Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess issued the injunction Thursday morning.

He refused the Legislature’s request to stay the effect of the order.

Republicans passed the lame-duck laws during an all-night extraordinary session in December just weeks before Evers and Kaul took office.

An extraordinary session is a previously unscheduled floor period initiated by majority party leaders.

A coalition of liberal-leaning groups filed a lawsuit in January arguing such sessions are illegal.

They contend the Wisconsin Constitution allows legislators to convene only at such times as set out in a law passed at the beginning of each two-year session or at the governor’s call.