A judge has given Democratic Gov. Tony Evers back his powers after striking down lame-duck laws passed by Republicans in what many viewed as an effort to restrict his control. Soon after Evers won the governorship, G-O-P lawmakers passed the lame-duck laws during a December extraordinary session that curtailed an array of Evers’ and Democratic Attorney Josh Kaul’s powers. One of them included prohibiting Evers from withdrawing the state from lawsuits without legislative approval. A coalition of groups sued in January, arguing the Legislature can’t meet that way, Erin Grunze with the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin says part of their claim was that lawmakers could convene only at times laid out in a law they pass at the beginning of each two-year session or at the governor’s call.
Republican legislative leaders vowed to appeal and predicted the ruling ultimately would be overturned. Evers called the ruling a victory and used his restored powers to pull the state out of a multistate challenge to the Affordable Care Act. / Republicans also used the lame-duck session to confirm 82 of former Republican Governor Scott Walker’s appointments. This meant Evers couldn’t immediately replace them when he took office. Grunze says the judge’s ruling restores fairness in the process.
Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess’ ruling is just one of four actions challenging the lame-duck laws.
