A judge says Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers properly used his partial veto powers on a literacy bill. Evers signed a bill in July 2023 that created an early literacy coaching program and grants. The state budget set aside $50 million for the initiatives but the bill didn't allocate any money.
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Ehlke’s decision marks a victory for the Democratic governor as he works to stave off Republican attempts to rein in his partial vetoes, one of the few ways he can block or soften GOP initiatives.The governor signed the first measure in July 2023. That bill created an early literacy coaching program within the state Department of Public Instruction as well as grants for schools that adopt approved reading curricula.
Evers signed another bill in February that Republicans argued created guidelines for distributing the $50 million. The governor used his partial veto powers to change multiple allocations into a single appropriation to DPI, a move that he said would simplify things and give the agency more spending flexibility. He also used his partial veto powers to eliminate grants for private voucher and charter schools.
Republican legislators sued in April, arguing the changes Evers made to the bill were unconstitutional. They maintained that the governor can use his partial veto powers only on bills that actually distribute money and the February bill didn’t allocate a single cent for DPI. The legislation, they insisted, was merely a framework for spending.
The Legislature’s lead attorney, Ryan Walsh, declined comment. Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback and state Justice Department spokesperson Gillian Drummond didn’t immediately respond to emails.
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