WI Gov-Elect Might Sue Over GOP Power Grab

Gov.-elect Tony Evers (D) said he will make a personal appeal to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) to veto legislation the GOP-controlled legislature passed to transfer key powers from the governor to lawmakers. If that fails, Evers says he will likely take legal action “to make sure that this legislation does not get into practice.”

 

Amid raucous protests last week – and done mostly behind closed doors in the middle of the night – the GOP-dominated legislature adopted measures that, among several things, require Evers to get permission from lawmakers before seeking any adjustments to programs jointly-run federal and state programs. Another would block him from withdrawing the state from a lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act, a major campaign promise, and grant lawmakers the power to make the majority of appointments to the state’s economic development board.

 

Perhaps even more significant, it would drastically limit early voting in the state, something that has historically tended to help Democrats.

 

“Wisconsin has never seen anything like this,” Evers said in a statement. “Wisconsin values of decency, kindness, and finding common ground were pushed aside so a handful of people could desperately usurp and cling to power while hidden away from the very people they represent.”

 

Evers wasn’t the only target – the GOP also took direct aim at incoming Democratic state attorney general Josh Kaul. Under the sweeping bills they approved, Kaul would need their approval to settle select lawsuits, and legislative leaders would be able to intervene in those cases by hiring their own lawyers in cases where a law’s constitutionality is challenged. He would also be stripped of the power to appoint a solicitor general to represent the state in major lawsuits.

 

The measures were predominantly driven by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R), a staunch Walker ally who accused Democrats of exaggerating the impact of the legislation. Vos said the bills primary goal is to ensure “we have an equal amount of power at the table.” 

 

Similar proposals are under consideration in Michigan, where Democrat Gretchen Whitmer will take over from termed-out Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in January. A measure endorsed by Wolverine State lawmakers last week would grant the Legislature, House or Senate power to intervene in any suit at any stage, in theory out of fear that Whitmer or incoming state Attorney General Dana Nessel would not defend GOP-passed laws facing legal challenges. It would also strip incoming Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson of the authority to oversee state campaign finance laws. Snyder has not indicated if he will sign the measures. (CBS NEWS, NEW YORK TIMES, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, IRON MOUNTAN DAILY NEWS, REUTERS)

Herbert Signs Altered UT Cannabis Law

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed legislation last week to significantly amend a voter-approved measure that legalized medicinal marijuana use in the Beehive State. The Utah Medical Cannabis Act came out of a one-day session last Monday called specifically to address elements of the ballot measure voters endorsed on Nov. 6^th that lawmakers objected to.

 

Major changes include reducing the allowed number of cannabis outlets from 40 general dispensaries to just seven “cannabis pharmacies,” with much of the distribution now being handled by the state. The new law also mostly bars edible marijuana products – which Proposition 2 broadly allowed – and removes all but a handful of autoimmune diseases from the list of those legally treatable with cannabis products.

 

Those changes drew criticism from some medical cannabis proponents, who said they will prevent many needy residents from accessing treatment. But advocates like Marijuana Policy Project deputy director Matthew Schweich hailed the compromise measure, saying it would ensure the program at least gets off the ground.

 

“This bill is undoubtedly inferior to the law enacted by voters in November. However, Proposition 2 would very likely have been defeated without the compromise deal, which prevented an onslaught of opposition spending,” he said in a statement. “Advocates made the responsible decision to negotiate with opponents and ensure that patients were not left without any access to medical cannabis.”

 

Several lawmakers suggested the law is also likely to undergo numerous changes as all sides determine its effectiveness. (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT)

Governors in Brief - December 10 2018

NORTHAM WINS NC GOV BALANCE OF POWER BATTLE

A NORTH CAROLINA court ruled last week that the GOP-controlled General Assembly unconstitutionally allowed outgoing Gov. Pat McCrory (R) to pick the leadership of the state Industrial Commission before he left office in 2016. The Commission rules in workers’ compensation cases. Republicans also illegally allowed McCrory’s appointment to a commission vacancy be extended until 2025.  The court’s ruling will now end that appointment next year. (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER)

 

HASLAM UNVEILS TN WATER PLAN

TENNESSEE Gov. Bill Haslam (R) has unveiled a long-range water supply plan for the Volunteer State. The plan assesses current water resources and calls for a comprehensive plan that takes into account necessary infrastructure upgrades in rural parts of the state as well as other recommendations based on population and economic growth through 2040. It is now open for public comment until Feb. 28^th. (CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT)

 

PARSON CALLS FOR MO PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING LAW

Calling it “long overdue,” MISSOURI Gov. Mike Parson (R) said he would push lawmakers next session to pass legislation to create a statewide prescription drug monitoring law. The Show Me State is the only one without a monitoring program, and also one of the hardest hit by the national opioid epidemic. (ST. LOUIS POST–DISPATCH)

 

PRITZKER NAMES IL EDUCATION FUNDING COMMITTEE

Saying “It’s time to change course in this state,” ILLINOIS Gov.–elect JB Pritzker (D) announced the formation of a 35-person committee tasked with developing a new state strategy for addressing longstanding problems with education funding, school infrastructure and the integration of charter schools. The committee is expected to have a report to Pritzker in January. (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, NBC CHICAGO)

 

TOUGHER GUN LAWS TOP NV GOV-ELECT’S AGENDA

Incoming NEVADA Gov. Steve Sisolek (D) said passing tougher gun laws will be one of his main priorities when he takes office in January. Sisolek said he wants the Silver State to ban assault weapons, silencers and bump stocks, which a gunman used in 2017 to kill 58 people and wound hundreds more at a Las Vegas mass outdoor concert. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

 

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN

Business - December 10 2018

MI House and Senate Endorse SB 1171 and SB 1175

The MICHIGAN House and Senate endorse bills that would drastically change previously approved laws on paid sick leave and the state minimum wage: SB 1171 (2018) would slow the increase of the state’s $9.25 minimum wage to $12.05 an hour by 2030 instead of $12 by 2022, while SB 1175 (2018) would exempt employers with fewer than 50 employees from a mandate to provide paid sick time under a law that is scheduled to take effect in March and limit the amount of annual mandatory leave at larger businesses to 40 hours, instead of 72 hours. Both measures move to Gov. Rick Snyder (R), who has not indicated if he will sign them (DETROIT NEWS, ASSOCIATED PRESS). 

Energy - December 10 2018

CA Building Standards Commission Unanimously Approves

The CALIFORNIA Building Standards Commission unanimously approves rules that make the Golden State the first in the nation to require new homes to be powered by solar power. The regulation takes effect in 2020 (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER).