MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today heralded a decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Evers v. Marklein. The case, brought by Gov. Evers last year against the Wisconsin State Legislature, argued Republican-controlled committees such as the Joint Committee on Finance are unconstitutionally and unlawfully obstructing basic government functions and operations by blocking conservation projects under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, among other instances. A copy of the governor’s petition for original action is available here. A copy of the governor’s brief in support of original action is available here. 

In a 6-1 decision majority opinion led by Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley, the Wisconsin Supreme Court opined:

“The constitution’s vesting of core powers in each of the three branches of government may not be statutorily altered. In declaring these separation of powers principles, we ensure the branches do not arrogate powers the people never gave them. [...] Maintaining the separation of powers between the branches is essential for the preservation of liberty and a government accountable to the people. By placing the power of the executive branch to carry out the law in a committee of the legislature, the legislative branch subsumed the executive power.”

Gov. Evers today released the following statement:

“Republican lawmakers have spent years giving themselves outsized influence and power that they’ve used to unconstitutionally obstruct basic government functions and prevent my administration from doing the people’s work. And that includes preventing the implementation of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. That ends today.

“I’ve spent years working against near-constant Republican obstruction, and this historic decision rightfully resets constitutional checks and balances and restores separation of powers. This decision is a victory for the people of Wisconsin, who expect and deserve their government to work—and work for them, not against them.”

An online version of this release is available here.