Wisconsin Supreme Court overturns GOP power grab, restores Attorney General's authority in major win
The
Wisconsin Supreme Court
on Tuesday struck down a law passed by Republicans in a 2018
lame-duck session
that restricted the powers of Democratic
Attorney General Josh Kaul
, as per a report.
Court Rejects Law That Limited Attorney General's Power
The court ruled unanimously, 7-0 that the law, which required Kaul to get approval from a Republican-controlled legislative committee before settling certain lawsuits, violated the state's
separation of powers
and was unconstitutional, according to an AP report.
The law targeted Kaul's authority to settle lawsuits related to
environmental and consumer protection cases
, as well as those involving the governor's office and executive branch, AP reported. AP wrote, "The new law required the Legislature's budget committee, which is controlled by Republicans, to sign off on those settlements."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens
Tips and Tricks
Undo
ALSO READ:
U.S retail sales take a hit with biggest decline in 4 months — economists warn of consumer slowdown ahead
How the Legal Battle Started
According to AP, the legal battle started six years ago when the
Republican-controlled Legislature
held a session in December 2018 after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul defeated Republican incumbents, and the laws signed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, reduced the powers of both offices.
Live Events
What the Court Said About Separation of Powers
Justice Brian Hagedorn, writing for the court, emphasized that the Legislature cannot 'assume for itself the power to execute a law it wrote,' quoted AP. Hagedorn also pointed out that there is no constitutional justification for requiring the Legislature's budget committee to sign off on court settlements at issue in the case, as quoted in the AP report.
Attorney General Josh Kaul's Reaction to the Ruling
Kaul celebrated the court's ruling, and said in a statement that the decision 'finally puts an end to the legislature's unconstitutional involvement in the resolution of key categories of cases,' as quoted in the report.
FAQs
What did the Wisconsin Supreme Court rule?
The court struck down a law requiring the attorney general to get legislative approval before settling certain lawsuits, calling it unconstitutional, as per the AP report.
When was the law passed?
The law was passed in December 2018 during a lame-duck session after Democrats won key state offices, as per AP report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
37 minutes ago
- Mint
Arnold Schwarzenegger tells immigrants in America to give back or get out: 'When you come to America, you're a guest'
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California Governor, spoke candidly about immigration during an appearance on The View, drawing a clear line between his support for immigrants and his emphasis on legality and personal responsibility. 'I just think the world of the great history that we have with immigrants in America,' Schwarzenegger said. 'But the key thing also is, at the same time, that we've got to do things legal. That is the most important thing.' He compared immigrants in the US to guests in someone's home, saying, 'When you come to America, you're a guest, and you have to behave like a guest… keep things clean, make your bed, and do everything that is the right thing to do rather than committing a crime, or being abusive.' When asked about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles and whether he would have deployed the National Guard as governor, Schwarzenegger sidestepped specifics but emphasised community contribution as a key duty of immigrants. 'You have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America and to pay back to America,' he said. 'Go and do something for your community for no money whatsoever… Give something back—after-school programs, Special Olympics, or whatever it is. Make this a better place.' Co-hosts on The View challenged Schwarzenegger's stance, with Whoopi Goldberg noting that '90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing.' Sunny Hostin added, 'Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes in this country than actual American-born citizens.' Despite the friction, Schwarzenegger stressed the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and urged both major political parties to work together. 'All of this is happening because we don't have immigration reform,' he said. 'Democrats and Republicans have to come together and solve this issue if they really want to be public servants. If they want to be party servants, and be party hacks, and be tied to their ideology, then it won't happen.'
Mint
38 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump's Grip on LA Troops Faces Test in Appeals Court Ruling
President Donald Trump's continued use of California's National Guard to respond to protests in Los Angeles faced fresh scrutiny on Tuesday in a high-stakes showdown over the limits of his executive authority. A three-judge panel in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco heard arguments for lawyers from both the Justice Department and California over whether the president's deployment of the troops without the state's approval was illegal. The court is expected to rule quickly on whether to let Trump keep using the troops for now as the case plays out. Tuesday's hearing marks the latest development in the ongoing fight between the US's most-populous state and the Trump administration over the response to the protests. Trump has deployed thousands of California's National Guard troops in response, as well as hundreds of Marines. California and its Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, have blasted Trump's deployment as a 'power grab' and an unnecessary intrusion on the work of local officials to police the protests. Lawyers for the state also have said it's 'terrifying' that the president said his actions can't be second-guessed by the courts and argue that the deployment sets a dangerous precedent. At the hearing, Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate told the judges the law gives presidents absolute discretion, unreviewable by the courts, to determine when it's necessary to call up National Guard to help deal with unrest or resistance to federal authority. 'The president has the discretion to decide what level of forces are necessary to counter the threat,' Shumate said. 'In the president's judgment, 2,000 national guardsman from California are necessary to execute the laws of California and the record bears that out.' The Trump administration has maintained that the president has the power to unilaterally federalize National Guard troops when he determines there is a 'rebellion' or 'invasion' that necessitates military intervention. And the law permits presidents to call up the state troops when unable to enforce federal law with 'regular forces.' Tuesday's panel was comprised of two judges appointed by Trump and one by former President Joe Biden. The court stepped in last week at the administration's request to pause US District Judge Charles Breyer's order declaring that Trump's deployment without California's consent was 'illegal.' Samuel Harbourt, a lawyer for California, said allowing the Trump administration to continue controlling the state's National Guard troops would 'defy our constitutional traditions of preserving state sovereignty.' 'Everyday that this order remains in effect, it is causing harm to our nation's broader democratic tradition of separation of the military from civilian affairs.' He said the Trump administration's actions suggest that the president can 'immediately reach for the most extreme possible measure on the table.' 'There needs to at least be some consideration of whether there are more modest measures before calling for the National Guard,' Harbourt said. Shumate argued it's necessary for the court to put a hold on Breyer's ruling 'otherwise lives and property will be at risk.' He claimed Trump's action to avoid going directly through Newsom to federalize 2,000 California National Guard doesn't invalidate it. A ruling on whether to let the troops continue under Trump's command could be swiftly appealed to the US Supreme Court by either side. Meanwhile, Breyer has scheduled a hearing for Friday on a request for a longer-term block of Trump's control of of the troops. The case is Newsom v. Trump, 25-3727, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit . This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander arrested at Immigration Court in Manhattan — detained while defending immigrant
New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested Tuesday by federal agents at a Manhattan immigration court, in an incident that has drawn sharp criticism over federal immigration enforcement. Lander, who was observing immigration hearings and said he was present to "accompany" individuals exiting the courtroom, was detained along with the person he was escorting. The arrest was witnessed by an Associated Press reporter and captured on video. A video of the incident shows agents attempting to separate Lander from the man they were detaining. Lander resisted, briefly linking arms with the individual. 'I'm not obstructing, I'm standing right here in the hallway,' Lander can be heard saying in the footage as he's being handcuffed. 'You don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant,' he added while being led down a hallway and into an elevator. One agent wore a tactical vest marked 'federal agent,' while others were in plainclothes with face masks. At a press conference later Tuesday, Lander's wife, Meg Barnette, condemned the arrest. 'They said, 'You're obstructing,'' Barnette said. 'I was shoved out of the way.' 'What I saw was shocking and unacceptable,' she added. 'What I saw today was not the rule of law.' She described how her husband tried to link arms with the man following an immigration hearing when 'we were swarmed by a number of federal agents.' The arrest occurred at 26 Federal Plaza, amid a broader campaign of large-scale federal immigration enforcement actions outside courtrooms nationwide. Federal authorities have yet to release a statement. Inquiries to FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have not been returned. In a statement, Lander's mayoral campaign confirmed the arrest: 'While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE.' Lander is a leading progressive voice in the Democratic mayoral primary. Early voting in the city's mayoral election is currently underway. The episode comes just weeks after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing during a protest at an ICE detention facility. That charge was dropped, but fellow Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver was later federally indicted for allegedly obstructing Baraka's arrest. She has denied the charges and vowed to fight them.
