Republicans Vos/Fitzgerald seek another power grab over Gov. Evers, using deadly COVID-19!

…they raised concerns about the prospect of forcing businesses to close and limiting people’s movement for an extended period. “We should not tolerate this for no good reason and we certainly should not tolerate it for a long period of time unless it’s in the public’s best interest,” Fitzgerald said. 

Under state law, Evers can declare a health emergency for up to 60 days. The emergency declaration can continue after that only if lawmakers sign off on it. Evers declared the emergency on March 12 and his expanded powers can continue under that order until mid-May.

POWER GRAB AGAIN PT 2: The Borg-like Vos/Fitzgerald legislature is already moving toward another power grab on two more fronts after their surprising lame duck victory. First…:

Sen. David Craig of Big Bend introduced legislation this week that would require Evers to get legislative approval before issuing such edicts … (like a) statewide order to stay home to prevent infectious diseases from spreading. . Craig wrote: 

“The Executive Branch does not have unchecked authority in such a crisis. To impair fundamental rights — as gathering bans, etc. do — the government must have a compelling state interest to do so AND must do so in a narrowly-tailored and least restrictive means possible under the constitution.“

Evers would be required to provide lawmakers with a report detailing reasons that justify issuing a ban on large gatherings and a report on arrests made for violating such bans.

WILL published a legal analysis that argued Evers’ emergency powers could face constitutional challenges, particularly if the pandemic persists for a long time. Strong arguments could be made that Evers’ actions violate the rights to free speech, due process, peaceably assemble and worship as one chooses, wrote WILL’s president, Rick Esenberg. Evers’ orders shutting businesses could also be construed as unconstitutionally taking something of value without fair compensation, he argued. 

Vos said he hoped the emergency would last less than 60 days. Lawmakers will evaluate the situation if Evers believes it should continue after that. “Once we get past that 60 days we have to see a very clear-cut reason” to continue it, Vos said. Evers has pushed Republicans to waive a one-week waiting period for people to access unemployment benefits. Vos said Republicans were considering doing that temporarily. “The longer this order goes, the more businesses are never going to have a chance to reopen,” said Vos, who owns a popcorn business.

Trump’s Easter Economic Resurrection: Nationally, Trump Republicans are all onboard ending any safety measures. Twitter commentary…

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