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Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks `Safer at Home`
Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks `Safer at Home`
MILWAUKEE -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Gov. Tony Evers' administration overstepped its authority when it extended the "Safer at Home" order to May 26. The court's 4-3 ruling ended the order's extension on May 13.
Wisconsin Republicans, worried about the economic fallout from the order's extension had asked the supreme court to block the order, arguing that Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm exceeded her authority.
The Evers administration argued that state law gave Palm and the executive branch broad authority to quickly enact emergency measures to control diseases.
According to the latest Marquette University Law School poll, a majority of Wisconsin voters supported "Safer at Home."
Ben Wickler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin said the supreme court ruling puts politics before science:
But Assembly Republican Joe Sanfelippo, speaking before the court's ruling, said the governor's one-size-fits-all plan was not logical. He believes science falls in favor of the Republicans' position:
State lawmakers and other officials are offering their reaction to the Wisconsin Supreme Court's blocking of Gov. Tony Evers' Safer at Home order. They are listed below.
Governor Tony Evers
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) & Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester)
Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of Wisconsin AFL-CIO
Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave
Jessica Post, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC)
Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)
Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)
Senator Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield)
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee)
Lake Geneva Police Chief Michael Rasmussen
Racine Mayor Cory Mason
Tavern League of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) President & CEO Kurt Bauer
Chris Ott, executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin
Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg)
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul
Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac)
Senate Democratic Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason)
Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee)
Robert Kraig, Citizen Action of Wisconsin