NPR reports that at least one judge finds GOP shenanigans in Wisconsin to be unacceptable.
A judge has struck down the laws that Wisconsin Republicans passed in December’s lame-duck session of the state’s Legislature, restoring powers to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, if only temporarily.
A county judge ruled on Thursday that all of the laws and appointments passed by legislators were unlawful because they met in what’s known as an “extraordinary session,” which isn’t explicitly allowed under the state’s constitution.
Evers seized on the decision almost immediately, calling on the Wisconsin Department of Justice, led by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, to withdraw the state from a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the Affordable Care Act.
“As the governor has requested, please take whatever steps are necessary to remove Wisconsin from Texas v. United States,” wrote Evers’ chief legal counsel, Ryan Nilsestuen, in an email to the Department of Justice shortly after the ruling was released.
Evers and Kaul campaigned on leaving the case, but one of the lame-duck laws has prevented them from following through on their pledge.
The ruling also temporarily struck down 82 appointments that former Republican Gov. Scott Walker made during the waning days of his administration, all of which were confirmed by Republican state senators in the lame-duck session.
Note that this was a county judge. Often low-level judges get overturned or corrected. While the Wisconsin GOP was certainly dishonorable in its extraordinary session practice, I fear dishonorable isn’t a legal term.
And, yes, if the Democrats were to do something similar when thrust unexpectedly from power, I’d be equally disappointed.
