MADISON — A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling has dealt Gov. Scott Walker a loss, upholding a ruling that keeps the state education secretary independent.
The 4-3 decision released Wednesday preserves the powers of the state superintendent of education.
The court's conservative majority was split on whether to overturn its unanimous ruling from 19 years ago that had solidified the state superintendent's independence as head of the Department of Education.
Ultimately, the court rejected arguments made by Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel to overturn the decision.
Current superintendent Tony Evers had opposed overturning the law, saying the case before the court was about preserving the office's role as a nonpartisan constitutional officer in charge of implementing and overseeing education policy.
CLICK HERE to read the entire ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) President Rick Esenberg, who argued Coyne v. Walker in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, said the following in a statement: