Gov. Tony Evers (D) has called on the Wisconsin Legislature to convene a special session to consider repealing an 1849 law limiting abortion in the state. Gov. Evers issued an executive order on June 8 directing the Legislature to convene on June 22. The Legislature adjourned its 2021-22 regular session on March 8. Senate Majority […]
Governor Calls for Special Session to Repeal Abortion Law
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:01am By Hamilton
Judge Rules Legislative Oversight of DOJ Settlements is Unconstitutional
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:22pm By Hamilton
A relatively new law, requiring the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) to seek legislative approval to settle or discontinue a civil action, is facing a legal challenge brought by Attorney General (AG) Josh Kaul. Enacted in December 2018 during a “lame-duck” extraordinary session, 2017 Wisconsin Act 369 granted the review power to the Legislature’s budget-writing […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Reverses Earlier Redistricting Decision, Selects Republican Legislative Maps
Date Tue, Apr. 19, 2022 - 9:17am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has adopted state legislative maps proposed by Republican legislative leaders, a reversal of the court’s earlier decision adopting maps proposed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). On April 15, the state’s high court issued what is likely to be its final ruling related to the current cycle of redistricting in Wisconsin. The […]
2021-22 Session Ends With 267 New Laws, Record-Breaking 126 Vetoes
Date Tue, Apr. 19, 2022 - 9:15am By Hamilton
On April 15, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued what are likely to be his final signatures and vetoes of the 2021-22 legislative session. With the Assembly and Senate standing adjourned as of their final floor days in February and March, respectively, any outstanding bills passed by both houses were sent to the governor’s desk […]
Joint Legislative Council Establishes Seven Study Committees
Date Tue, Apr. 19, 2022 - 9:06am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Legislative Council (JLC) recommends special committees to study major issues identified by the Legislature, typically during even-numbered years after adjournment. JLC circulated a paper ballot that was due on April 15 asking legislators to approve seven proposed committees. The committees are expected to gather information and make policy recommendations that could […]
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Gov. Evers’ State Legislative Maps
Date Thu, Mar. 31, 2022 - 8:21pm By Hamilton
The United States Supreme Court ordered the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reconsider its decision adopting state legislative maps proposed by Gov. Tony Evers. This is the latest decision in an ongoing series of lawsuits regarding redistricting in Wisconsin. The U.S. Supreme Court issued its order on March 23. The unsigned opinion was adopted on a […]
58 New Laws: Gov. Evers’ Signatures and Vetoes in March
Date Thu, Mar. 31, 2022 - 8:19pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has signed 58 bills into law since our early March update on gubernatorial actions. Although the Wisconsin Legislature has adjourned for the remainder of the year, there are still dozens of bills that passed both houses but have yet to be formally presented to Gov. Evers. Once Senate or Assembly […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Adopts Gov. Evers’ Redistricting Plan
Date Thu, Mar. 10, 2022 - 10:50pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has adopted a redistricting plan proposed by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D), a notable legal and political victory for Democrats. The court filed its decision on March 3. Justice Brian Hagedorn, a judicial conservative, wrote the opinion for a 4-3 majority including himself and the court’s three liberal justices. The majority […]
Legislature Adjourned After Final Senate Floor Session: March 8
Date Thu, Mar. 10, 2022 - 10:37pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature stands adjourned following the Senate’s final planned floor day on March 8. The Assembly adjourned two weeks earlier after its final votes on February 23 and 24. Barring any unusual circumstances, the Legislature will not convene again until the next legislative session begins in January 2023. Also on March 8, Republican leaders […]
Gov. Evers Has Signed 20 Bills Since Mid-February
Date Thu, Mar. 10, 2022 - 10:28pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has signed 20 bills into law since our last update on gubernatorial actions. On February 21, the governor announced the signing of 2021 Wisconsin Act 140, which created a penalty for refusing or obstructing the installation of a GPS tracker or similar device required for certain offenders. On March 4, […]