Judge Blocks Republican-Led 'Lame-Duck Legislation'

MADISON, WI -- A Dane County judge issued a temporary injunction Thursday, blocking a raft of Republican-authored legislation that was signed into law just days before Gov. Scott Walker left office during an extraordinary session.

According to a WISN-TV report, days after hearing oral arguments from both sides, Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess issued the injunction, refusing the Republican-controlled State Legislature's request to delay the order.

According to a Wisconsin Public Radio report, a legal challenge to the lame-duck legislation was brought by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Disability Rights Wisconsin Inc. and Black Leaders Organizing for Communities. They contended that the lame-duck session was unlawful "because legislators met in "extraordinary session," which isn't explicitly allowed under the state constitution."

Representative LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee) praised the Dane County judge's injunction. She made the following statement regarding Judge Niess’ ruling involving the extraordinary session:

Judge Niess’ ruling today upholds what the Wisconsin electorate expects, which is equity in government. Today’s ruling is a win for the people of Wisconsin; it reaffirms that one party cannot act as a dictatorship over the other. We must act in earnest, with a spirit of compromise and that compromise begins with republican members acceptance that the people of Wisconsin elected Tony Evers governor.

As such, Governor Evers should have been afforded the same opportunities to govern as those who preceded him, this was not the case. But on today, I am thankful that judicial solvency was given to the aggrieved. I am certain Governor Evers will make the most of his opportunity to fully govern our state and make appointments that are indicative of the diversity represented across the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin lawmakers pilloried the legal challenge. According to a U.S. News report, Misha Tseytlin, an attorney for Republican lawmakers said that the court should toss the suit on the basis that the Legislature has been able to meet when it chooses since 1968.