Here & Now

High Court Hears Challenge to Lame Duck Session

Frederica Freyberg:
Now to the state Capitol where the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the lame duck lawsuit on Wednesday. The lawsuit filed by the League of Women Voters and other plaintiffs claims the December lame duck session during the final days of the Walker Administration was illegal saying the state Constitution does not specifically allow legislators to convene in an extraordinary session. Lawyers for the Legislature say it was constitutional. Laws passed during that session included rules that limit some powers of the state attorney general and governor.

Misha Tseytlin:
Nothing Legislature did in December 2018 violated the Wisconsin Constitution.

Jeffrey Mandell:
The Legislature’s being very fast and loose with the words of the statutes, the words of the Constitution, the words of this court.

Frederica Freyberg:
The majority Republican Legislature whose lame duck laws are at issue before the high court was in session this week where the state Assembly passed what they call the “born alive antiabortion” bill that would require that doctors care for babies who survive late term abortions under the penalty of prison time. Opponents say babies are almost never born alive after an abortion, but in that event, doctors must and do care for them. Supporters say they just want to assure such babies get care. Governor Tony Evers says he will veto the measure which now heads to the state Senate.