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Wisconsin GOP Looking For Ways To Continue Conservative Push With Democratic Governor

Susan Bence
Tony Evers speaks to his supporters after winning the August 2018 Democratic primary. He went on to win the race for Wisconsin governor on Nov. 6.

Two days after Wisconsin voters ousted Republican Gov. Scott Walkerin favor of Democrat Tony Evers, there are rumblings that GOP state lawmakers are looking to limit the power of the governor-elect.

Wisconsin Republicans are cautioning Democrats not to view Tuesday’s win by Evers as a mandate for change. In an email release, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the GOP will continue to deliver on its conservative promises and not allow Wisconsin to backslide. And talks have surfaced that Republicans, who control the Legislature, want to find ways to lessen Evers' powers.

READ: Analyzing Evers' Win & What's Next

Philip Rocco is a political science professor at Marquette University. He says one way Republicans might try to change the rules is by requiring legislative approval for things the governor currently can do on his own.

“So, for example, one thing that they might be worried about is the Walker administration made some changes to BadgerCare to require people to work as part of their conditions of eligibility. And they might be worried that Evers wants to change that on his own without consulting the legislature,” Rocco says.

GOP lawmakers would have to limit the governor's power before Evers takes office. Rocco says while Republicans have the majority, they don't have enough votes to override bills that Evers might veto.

At this point, it's unclear what Republican legislators have in mind. And Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is downplaying talk about the subject, saying Republicans don't want to undermine the new governor.

But Rocco says if lawmakers do propose changes, Wisconsin would not be the first state to try to restrict the powers of the governor. He says North Carolina lawmakers attempted to do so.

“One thing that the legislature tried to do was limit the governor’s ability to make cabinet appointments. So, creating more legislative checks on the governor’s cabinet appointments, making it harder for the governor to enact laws through administrative rules. And reducing the number of people the governor can appoint to positions within the state executive branch,” Rocco says.

He says the North Carolina legislature also tried to reduce the number of judges on state courts. But adds the efforts failed — in legal challenges and in a referendum on ballots.

Evers, meanwhile, blasted Republican legislative leaders Thursday, demanding they "stop any and all attempts to play politics and weaken the powers of the governor's office." He says such efforts are a "desperate attempt to cling to power."

LaToya was a reporter with WUWM from 2006 to 2021.
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