Judge Rules Against Lame Duck Laws

On March 21, Dane County Judge Richard Niess ruled in favor of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin in its suit against the Wisconsin State Legislature. During a lame-duck session late last year, the Legislature passed a series of laws limiting the incoming governor’s power. This decision undoes those actions. Erin Grunze, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, issued the following statement that day: “Today’s court ruling is a victory for the people of Wisconsin, who are entitled to a government that represents their interests transparently, welcomes citizens’ input and respects the limits of its constitutional authority. As an organization dedicated to voting rights and informed participation in government, we feel vindicated that the court saw the Legislature’s ‘extraordinary session’ for what it was – an unconstitutional act that harmed Wisconsin voters and taxpayers.”