Hamilton Political Tidbits – April 19, 2022

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. Evers. 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 case was on remand from the United States Supreme Court, which ordered its Wisconsin counterpart to reconsider an earlier ruling.

On April 15, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued what are likely to be his final signatures and vetoes of the 2021-22 legislative session. Since January 2021, Gov. Evers has signed 267 laws and issued 126 vetoes, eclipsing the previous single-session record of 90 vetoes set by Gov. Fred Zimmerman in 1928.

On April 12, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren ruled in favor of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce in a lawsuit involving two environmental cleanup programs managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.

The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Legislative Council recommends special committees to study major issues identified by the Legislature, typically during even-numbered years after adjournment. The committees are expected to gather information and make policy recommendations that could be considered for adoption by the Legislature next year.

In the April 1 edition of Hamilton Political Tidbits, we covered key stories from Wisconsin politics including the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on redistricting in Wisconsin and the signatures and vetoes issued by Gov. Evers throughout the month of March.