Local legislators are siding with their party’s leadership when it comes to Wednesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court decision. The court voted 4-3 to overturn Governor Tony Evers’ Safer at Home Order, ruling the administration overstepped its boundaries when it extended the restrictions to curtail the spread of the coronavirus to May 26th. A Sturgeon Bay Republican, Rep. Joel Kitchens was surprised the Supreme Court did not grant the requested stay so the legislature and the governor could discuss new plans for reopening the state. He says a lot could fall into the hands of local government leaders.
Senator Andre Jacque believes now that the state Supreme Court agrees that the governor overstepped his authority, it is time to work together.
Senator Dave Hansen, a Democrat hailing from Green Bay, chastised the decision in a press release for potentially making people go back to work before they feel safe at the risk of losing their job.
Before Wednesday’s decision, Wisconsin was one of nine states with a Safer at Home or a stricter order in place. You can read statements from other government officials below.
Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)
“When we met with Governor Evers a week ago, we asked him to begin negotiating with us on a plan for reopening. He politely declined and said we should wait for the court decision. Now that the decision has been rendered, we are confident Wisconsin citizens are up to the task of fighting the virus as we enter a new phase.
“The recent Marquette Law School Poll found that 77 percent said they would be comfortable visiting a friend or family member’s home. This ruling allows people to once again gather with their loved ones or visit their places of worship without the fear of violating a state order.
“Republicans believe business owners can safely reopen using the guidelines provided by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. We urge our fellow small business owners to utilize the suggestions as a safe and effective way to open up our state.
“Wisconsin now joins multiple states that don't have extensive ‘stay at home orders’ but can continue to follow good practices of social distancing, hand washing, hand sanitizer usage and telecommuting. This order does not promote people to act in a way that they believe endangers their health.
“We would urge the Evers administration to work with us to begin promulgating rules that would provide clear guidance in case COVID-19 reoccurs in a more aggressive way."
Governor Tony Evers (D)
“Up until now, Wisconsin was in a pretty good place in our battle against COVID-19. We had reached almost all our gating criteria. We had opened up 14,000 small businesses across the state, putting 90,000 folks back to work, and that was because of the good work of Wisconsinites across our state who banded together, stayed home, and stayed safe," said Gov. Evers. "Despite that good work, Republican legislators have convinced 4 justices to throw our state into chaos.
“We cannot let today's ruling undo all the work we have done and all the sacrifices Wisconsinites have made over these past few months. We need everyone to continue doing their part to keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe by continuing to stay safer at home, practice social distancing, and limit travel, because folks, deadly viruses don't wait around for politicians and bureaucrats to settle their differences or promulgate rules.
“This virus has killed more than 400 of our family members, friends, and neighbors and thousands more across our state are sick. I am disappointed in the decision today, but our top priority has been and will remain doing what we can and what we have to do to protect the health and safety of the people of our state. After months of unproductive posturing, I hope the folks in the Legislature are ready to do the same.”
