The Wisconsin Supreme Court is currently hearing a significant lawsuit regarding the state's governor's veto powers, specifically focusing on a partial veto issued by Governor Tony Evers last year. The lawsuit, brought forth by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce's Litigation Center, argues that Evers's veto violates a 1990 constitutional amendment that prohibits the use of 'Vanna White' or 'pick-a-letter' vetoes, which previously allowed governors to alter legislation by striking individual letters or words.
The controversy centers around Evers's decision to increase public school funding by $325 per student per year until 2425, a move made possible by his partial veto that removed a hyphen and the number '20' from a budget reference to the 2024-25 school year. Critics argue this action effectively extended funding beyond the intended two-year limit set by the legislature.
During oral arguments, justices expressed concern about the implications of such veto powers, with Justice Brian Hagedorn noting the chaotic nature of past decisions on partial vetoes. Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley highlighted the potential for the governor to wield excessive power, while liberal Justice Jill Karofsky remarked on the seemingly limitless scope of such actions.
This case has broader implications for the balance of power in Wisconsin's government and may set a precedent for how veto powers are exercised in the future. Historically, governors from both parties have utilized partial vetoes, with former Republican Governor Scott Walker famously employing a 'thousand-year veto' to extend a state program indefinitely.
Source: Washington Examiner, October 10, 2024