Evers needs time to digest restored powers after judge blocks Republican-written lame-duck laws

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Copyright 2019 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers says he needs more time to decide how to use powers a judge restored to him by blocking Wisconsin Republicans’ lame duck laws.

Wisconsin Republicans passed the laws limiting Evers’ powers — including his ability to pull the state out of lawsuits — in a December lame-duck session. The GOP also confirmed 82 of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s appointments during the session.

Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess found the lame-duck session illegal Thursday and voided the laws and confirmations. Evers moved within hours of Niess’ order to pull Wisconsin out of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act, fulfilling a campaign promise. But he told reporters he needs more time to “digest” the ruling before making any further moves.

Republicans blatantly ignored the will of the people when they voted to grab power from @GovEvers and @WisDOJ.

This ruling will hold @wisgop accountable for their unprecedented power grab. https://t.co/4sF2MYJNDX

— Democratic Party WI (@ WisDems ) March 21, 2019

The clock is likely ticking for Evers. Republicans have vowed to appeal and it’s likely they’ll ask an appellate court to seek a stay of Niess’ order soon.

Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess issued the injunction Thursday. He refused the Legislature’s request to put the order on hold.

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.

JUST IN: Statement from @SpeakerVos @SenFitzgerald: ” Today’s ruling only creates chaos… ” #news3now pic.twitter.com/nWW52wO0WW

— Jessica Arp (@ news3jessica ) March 21, 2019

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.

In a statement released shortly after the decision, Republican leaders said the statement would ” create chaos. ”

“For decades the Legislature has used extraordinary sessions that have widely been supported by members of both parties, ” Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin vos said in a joint statement. “The most recent extraordinary session was held for Governor Evers’ budget address. Today’s ruling only creates chaos and will surely raise questions about items passed during previous extraordinary sessions, including stronger laws against child sexual predators and drunk drivers. We will appeal this ruling. ”

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke tweeted that he isn’t surprised a Dane County judge has issued a partisan ruling.

Democratic lawmakers are asking their Republican counterparts to stop paying outside attorneys representing the Legislature after a judge blocked the GOP’s lame-duck laws. Republicans hired Misha Tsyetlin at $500 an hour to defend the lame-duck laws in two lawsuits. They’re also planning to hire outside counsel to defend Wisconsin’s abortion restrictions in a federal case. Aides for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald didn’t immediately respond to emails.

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COPYRIGHT 2020 BY CHANNEL 3000. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.