'That’s why we’re suing': Wisconsin gov. curses out GOP legislature for obstructing basic functions
Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers is now taking the state's Republican-controlled legislature to court, alleging lawmakers are needlessly obstructing basic government functions.
According to the Associated Press, Evers said Republicans' refusal to green-light a 6% pay raise for 35,000 University of Wisconsin employees that was already approved was "just bull s---" and a "bridge too far." Evers went on to characterize lawmakers' obstinance as telling Wisconsin workers to "stick it." The Wisconsin governor, now in his second term, has reportedly attempted to bypass the lower courts, asking the state supreme court to take up the case directly.
“Small groups of legislators exercise executive authority over large swaths of government activity,” the lawsuit reads. “The powers to create and to execute the law need to be separated again.”
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Earlier this year, the legislature included the pay raise for university workers in the state budget it passed and Gov. Evers signed into law. However, a Republican-led legislative committee still has to approve the raises after the fact. While the committee approved raises for other state workers, it did not do so for university workers, with Wisconsin House Speaker Robin Vos objecting to spending for diversity, equity, and inclusion programing.
Gov. Evers said that aside from the legislature's refusal to approve the pay increase, lawmakers are also obstructing new ethics standards for licensed professionals, updates to Wisconsin's commercial building standards and state conservation programs. Evers said his Republican legislative opponents are using their committee control to "reach far beyond [the legislature's] proper zone of constitutional lawmaking authority."
“You can’t do that,” Evers said at a press conference. “That’s why we’re suing and that’s why we’re going to win.”
Wisconsin Republican leaders, for their part, castigated Evers in response to the lawsuit. State Senate Majority Leader David LeMahieu stated the governor was "working to diminish the voice of Wisconsinites by limiting the authority of the legislature and unduly strengthening his own administration." Lawsuit defendant Steve Nass, a Republican state senator, said Evers' suit was a "radical power grab" that sought to "minimize the constitutional oversight powers of elected state legislators."
Evers has contended with a Republican-dominated legislature every year of his administration. Prior to Evers taking the oath of office, Wisconsin Republicans passed a bill in former Republican Governor Scott Walker's lame-duck period that weakened the powers of the executive branch. The Badger State is also notably "home to some of the most extreme partisan gerrymanders in the United States," according to the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. The state's highest court, which now has a liberal majority following its most recent supreme court election, is set to a hear a case this month that could undo the most recent Republican-drawn redistricting map in favor of a less partisan one.
