Wisconsin Supreme Court sides with Republican Legislature in fight with governor
Share this @internewscast.com

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court delivered a unanimous decision favoring the Republican-dominated Legislature on Wednesday, curtailing the sweeping veto authority of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

In this case, the court, with all four liberal justices joining the three conservatives, invalidated Evers’ partial veto on a Republican bill, exploring the boundaries of his veto capabilities as well as the Legislature’s power to influence through financial control.

The court further asserted that the Legislature is permitted to allocate funds for specific state programs into an emergency reserve managed by its budget committee. Gov. Evers contended that such actions were unconstitutional.

The ruling will likely result in the Legislature crafting the budget and other spending bills in similar ways to get around Evers’ partial vetoes and to have even greater control over spending.

The ruling against Evers comes after the court earlier this year upheld Evers’ partial veto that locked in a school funding increase for 400 years. The court last year issued a ruling that reined in some powers of the Legislature’s budget committee, while this ruling went the other way.

Evers clashes with Legislature

Evers, in his seventh year as governor, has frequently clashed with the Legislature and often used his broad veto powers to kill their proposals. Republican lawmakers have tried to take control away from the governor’s office by placing money to fund certain programs and state agencies in an emergency fund controlled by the Legislature’s budget committee. That gives the Legislature significant influence over that funding and the implementation of certain programs within the executive branch.

Evers argued that the Legislature is trying to limit his partial veto power and illegally control how the executive branch spends money.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with the Legislature.

It ruled that Evers improperly used his partial veto on a bill that detailed the plan for spending on new literacy programs designed to improve K-12 students’ reading performance. The court also sided with the Legislature and said the budget committee can legally put money into an emergency fund to be distributed later. That is what it has done with the $50 million for the literacy program.

Evers and Republican lawmakers did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Fight over literacy funding

In 2023, Evers signed into law a bill that created an early literacy coaching program within the state Department of Public Instruction. The bill also created grants for schools that adopt approved reading curricula to pay for changing their programs and to train teachers on the new practices.

However, Republicans put the $50 million to pay for the new initiative in a separate emergency fund controlled by the Legislature’s budget committee. That money remains in limbo amid disagreements about how the money would be used and who would decide how to spend it.

Evers argued that the Legislature didn’t have the power to withhold the money and the court should order it to be released to the education department.

The Supreme Court declined to do that, saying the money was appropriated to the Legislature and the court has no authority to order it to be released to the education department to fund the literacy program.

The Legislature has been increasing the amount of money it puts in the emergency fund that it can release at its discretion, but it remains a small percentage of the total state budget. In the last budget, about $230 million was in the fund, or about half of a percentage point of the entire budget.

Republicans sue to stop veto

Evers used his partial veto power on another bill that created the mechanism for spending the $50 million for the new program. He argued that his changes would simplify the process and give DPI more flexibility. Evers also eliminated grants for private voucher and charter schools.

Republican legislators sued, contending that the governor illegally used his partial veto power.

State law allows only for a partial veto of bills that spend money. For all other bills, the governor must either sign or veto them in their entirety.

Because the bill Evers partially vetoed was a framework for spending, but didn’t actually allocate any money, his partial vetoes were unconstitutional, the Supreme Court said, agreeing with Republican lawmakers.

“The constitution gives the governor authority to veto in part only appropriation bills — not bills that are closely related to appropriation bills,” Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote.

Evers argued for a liberal interpretation of his veto powers. He said that by challenging it, the Legislature was trying to weaken his powers.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Jacksonville travelers return home smoothly following July 4th

Jacksonville Holiday Travelers Enjoy Easy Return After Independence Day

JAX Airport smoothly handled a surge of travelers during the busiest Fourth…
As the Death Toll Rises in Texas, Democrats Choose to Be Black-Souled, Evil Ghouls

Texas Tragedy Escalates: Democrats Criticized for Lack of Empathy

The devastating news from Texas keeps worsening as the number of deaths…
Aerial view of a police vehicle at a zoo after a reported attack.

Shocking Incident: Woman Loses Arm in Lion Attack at Zoo While Observing Keepers

A WOMAN has lost her arm in a horror lion attack at…
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm out of Subway Series lineup with shoulder issue

Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Misses Subway Series Game Due to Shoulder Problem

The Yankees, struggling with a six-game losing streak and several player absences,…
How weather conditions set the stage for the deadly Texas flash floods

How Weather Factors Contributed to the Devastating Texas Flash Floods

WASHINGTON (AP) — A massive amount of moisture in the atmosphere powered…
Utah building explodes into the sky after vehicle crashes into business, causes fire

Utah Structure Erupts After Car Collides with Business, Igniting Fire

Late Saturday, a vehicle collided with a building at a strip mall…
Car engulfed in flames near a building.

Explosion Rocks Domino’s Store in Utah After Collision with SUV, Leaving Three Injured

THIS is the shocking moment a three-car pile-up caused a burning SUV…
Texas flood survivors share harrowing stories, search continues for those still missing

Texas Flood Survivors Share Dramatic Experiences as Search Efforts Persist for the Missing

As officials continue to verify fatalities and search for people missing following…
Shark attack victim in hospital bed.

Woman Shares Her Story After a Shark Attack on July 4th Left Her Severely Injured and Her Husband Wounded

A WOMAN gives an update a year after surviving a brutal heart…
The putrid Bryan Kohberger plea deal and more: Letters

Controversial Bryan Kohberger Plea Deal and More: Reader Letters

A putrid plea deal I’m both disgusted and mystified by the plea…
Perfect storm of conditions fueled the deadly Texas flooding: experts

Experts Explain How a Combination of Factors Led to the Deadly Flooding in Texas

A devastating combination of a sluggish pocket of humid air, dry landscape,…
Michael Kay claps back at 'fawning fanboy' Blue Jays broadcaster

Michael Kay Responds to Criticism from Blue Jays Broadcaster

After being taunted with a broom, Michael Kay dropped a hammer. Kay,…