Happy Reagan’s Birthday to all who celebrate.
There’s a lot of lawsuit news today. Wisconsinites should get used to that, as recent changes in the ideological make up of the state Supreme Court have given hope to those who are dissatisfied with the traditional legislative and rule making process.
But first, an update. We’ve previously highlighted the pending health care access crisis in Western Wisconsin. Today, Benjamin Yount of The Center Square reports on Congressman Van Orden’s efforts to push the Evers’ Administration to do more, more quickly, to resolve the matter:
Van Orden said the closures will leave parts of western Wisconsin with fewer emergency rooms, far less rural EMS service and the loss of one of the region’s cancer centers. “This is truly a dire situation and I want to keep all available options on the table in an attempt to mitigate the negative consequences of these closures. This is why I am asking you to join me in requesting all available resources, state and federal, be made available to the state of Wisconsin,” he said.
Evers promises help for Chippewa Valley health care workers, congressman wants more – Benjamin Yount, The Center Square
Meanwhile, the Governor is working through the courts to reduce the Legislature’s oversight over appropriations. He’s defending his actions, as he tell’s the local CBS Affiliate in Milwaukee:
Evers is asking the court to invalidate state laws that give GOP-led committees broad authority. For example, the lawsuit targets Republicans on the powerful Joint Finance Committee who have blocked conservation projects under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship land conservation program that were already approved through legislation or the state budget. It’s a case that some legal experts and conservatives have warned could have broader implications by invalidating a host of other committee actions, but Evers doubts that.
Gov. Evers doubts lawsuit challenging GOP Legislature will have broader consequences – Emilee Fannon, CBS58
Also, the effort to dismantle the Walker-era public employee reforms continue full speed ahead, as reported in a Milwaukee weekly newspaper:
“A coalition of labor groups and individuals, buoyed by the election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz to the Wisconsin Supreme Court last year which created a liberal majority on the court, filed a lawsuit late November in Dane County which seeks to have Act 10 overturned on constitutional grounds. It’s expected that any decision by a lower court in the case will eventually be appealed to the high court by the losing side.”
Act Two for Act 10: Union Lawsuit Seeks Repeal – Len Nelson, Shepherd Express
Finally, it looks like the national press corps is noticing the writing is on the wall regarding the redistricting maps cases currently before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Left-wing Wisconsin judge was backed by same groups paying firm behind congressional map lawsuit – Gabe Kaminsky, Washington Examiner
Thanks to new court, Democrats see a prime opportunity to finally break the GOP’s grip on Wisconsin – Adam Edelman, NBC News
No, this hasn’t become a law journal. But the ramifications of these lawsuits will be significant. We’ll continue to monitor all these lawsuits and will keep you posted in future editions of our Key Reads. But let’s try to end today’s installment on a more positive note, shall we?
If YOU want to be a judge, this might be your easiest path.
