Article author:
Associated Press
Todd Richmond
Madison, Wisconsin (AP) — A conservatively controlled Supreme Court in Wisconsin to undermine the Democratic Governor of the Battlefield State Handed over the latest weapons to the Republican Party. This week, political appointments do not have to leave their post until the Senate confirms a successor.
The court's decision would bring another loss when Democratic Governor Tony Evers faced reelection for conservatives who refused to resign from the Environmental Policy Commission for more than a year after their term expired. I did. November. The Republicans have been trying to reduce Evers'power even before Evers took office, and have refused to identify many of his appointed persons. This week's ruling gives them the ability to block them simply by rejecting a nomination vote.
"Most people on the street say there is an opening when the period expires. The Supreme Court said the common sense was incorrect." Barry Baden, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said. The ruling raises the question of "why there is a term. Maybe we are saying that people are serving lifelong as justice in the U.S. Supreme Court. Hmm. ”
Republicans may rule Congress for the next few years, primarily for the Gerimander district.
After Evers was elected in 2018, before he took office, they temporarily stripped his power to appoint members of the state's economic development agency and blocked it to legislators. Legislation passed during a lame duck session that empowered government rules and policies.
So far, the Senate has refused to confirm about 42% of Evers' 299 appointees, according to Evers' office. In addition, the Senate took a rare move in 2019 after criticizing Republicans that Evers' Secretary of Agriculture Bradfuff did not provide enough money to support farmers on mental health issues. I took it. Pfaff had to resign.
The battle for appointment changed in the spring of 2021 at the end of Fred Plain's term on the Policy Board of the Department of Natural Resources. Evers has appointed his successor. This is a move that will empower his appointed person with a majority of one member of the board and his administration to shape environmental policy.
Plain, appointed by former Republican Governor Scott Walker, refused to resign. Since then, he has voted to increase the state's wolf hunting quotas and abolish restrictions on well water in a group of chemicals known as PFAS, which stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has urged Plen to be expelled from the board. A conservative majority of the four judges in the State Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that vacant seats must exist before the governor fills them. "Vacancy" will only occur if the incumbent is dismissed due to death, resignation, or illegal activity.
This decision basically prevents the governor from replacing the former governor's appointed person without the confirmation of the Senate.
The ruling stunned Democrats.
"Today I remind the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Republicans that we are still living in democracy. Its very basic function is peaceful and respectful. It's a transfer of power, especially when you lose, "Evers said. "[His appointed person] should consider their achievements and to the people of our state whether they were appointed by the Democrats or shared the same ideas with Republicans in Congress. You should have the opportunity to serve. "
Cowl called this decision another symptom of the collapse of democracy.
"What this (judgment) is doing is to allow the Legislature not to represent the people of Wisconsin, expand its powers, and control the executive branch," Kaul said. I did.
Senate majority leader Devin Lemeille spokesman Adam Gibbs did not respond to his message.
Plain isn't the only Republican appointed person who refused to leave. The 13-member Wisconsin Technical College Board has three members whose term ended in May 2021. They will be sent to the University of Wisconsin System Regent Committee, 16 of whom will be appointed by the Governor for a seven-year term. She said it could undermine the credibility of the national board.
"Like many others in our (governmental) system, there are certain norms, politeness, and shame related to making these systems work," he said. rice field. "They are clearly outside the window."
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