Local and state leaders are sounding off on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court's ruling that Gov. Ever's Safer At Home order was unconstitutional in a 4-3 verdict.
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Here is what local and state leaders had to say about the decision:
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said, "Unfortunately, right now our Supreme Court acts more like a jukebox for the Republican leadership and the legislature, they put in a coin and the Wisconsin Supreme Court plays the song they want them to play," Barrett said on TMJ4 News.
Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes echoed these statements.
Disappointed but not surprised. They put lives at risk by forcing an election, of course they were going to double down. It’s like no lives matter. This is bad. https://t.co/URZJ5MJRPD
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) May 13, 2020
On the republican side the sentiment was much different.
State Senator Van Wanggaard, representing parts of Racine County, said, “Today’s decision is a victory for all who believe that the power to dictate how people live and to punish them with jail time does not belong with a single, unelected bureaucrat, no matter how good their intentions. And that is what this case was about.
State Senator Duey Stroebel representing Ozaukee, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond Du Lac, and Calumet Counties said, "I believe we can fully reopen our state by relying upon the judgment and discretion of our citizens to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 while resuming our day-to-day lives."
Donald Trump Jr. took to Twitter to voice his pleasure with the decision.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court just NUKED the lockdowns #Wisconsin https://t.co/26cdz2v75J
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 13, 2020
President Donald Trump also agreed with republican lawmakers, sharing this tweet Thursday:
The Great State of Wisconsin, home to Tom Tiffany’s big Congressional Victory on Tuesday, was just given another win. Its Democrat Governor was forced by the courts to let the State Open. The people want to get on with their lives. The place is bustling!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2020
Joint statement from the Wisconsin Legislature
Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) released the following statement after the Wisconsin State Supreme Court made its ruling.
“...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. “
The order went into effect on March 25 and was originally expected to expire on April 24, but Gov. Tony Evers extended the order until May 26. Republican legislators filed a lawsuit challenging the order, arguing that Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm exceeded her authority when she extended the order.
According to the Supreme Court 4-3 decision, Palm's Emergency Order was declared "unlawful, invalid and unenforceable."