Wisconsin high court: Governor can't limit business capacity

[DonViejo]

Source: The Associated Press


By SCOTT BAUER
an hour ago

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that Gov. Tony Evers’ administration does not have the authority to issue capacity limits on bars, restaurants and other businesses without the Legislature’s approval, a ruling that comes two weeks after the conservative-controlled court struck down the state’s mask mandate.

The state Supreme Court also ruled last year in a similar case that the Democratic governor needed the approval of the Legislature, which is controlled by Republicans, to issue an emergency declaration that shut down businesses early in the coronavirus pandemic.

There has not been a statewide capacity limit restriction in place since October. That order limited the size of indoor public gatherings to 25% of a building’s or room’s occupancy or 10 people in places that don’t have an occupancy limit. The on-again, off-again order was blocked by a state appeals court that month.

The Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Wednesday that the order issued by Evers’ Department of Health Services meets the definition of a rule, which by law must go through the Legislature. The court’s four conservative justices ruled against Evers, while three liberals dissented.


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-wisconsin-coronavirus-pandemic-courts-264f76ea03518dda11aed9a1c4522f59

[bucolic_frolic]

1. We should boycott their cheese because of the Swiss cheese heads on their Supreme Court

Rules for public safety on an immediate basis shouldn't have to go through the politicians.

[bluestarone]

2. I have to ask

Why can't OSHA step in here? Totally UNSAFE!

[Probatim]

3. Wisconsin High Court - If people want to die slow painful deaths, who are we to stop them.

[Wild blueberry]

4. This would be the RepubliQan legislature that have done ZERO for the people of Wisconsin

since the pandemic began. Absolutely NOTHING.
Just obstructed those, like our governor and public health secretary, who ARE helping us.
Nice, Court Formerly Known as Supreme.

[Midnight Writer]

5. If a Fire Marshall can limit occupancy for safety reasons, the Governor should be able to.

[bahboo]

6. I have to visit Wisconsin from SoCal in a couple weeks...

I can guarantee you I'll be masked up, social distancing and staying away from crowded indoor environments, even though I'm fully vaxxed. They're fucking nuts there...

[SergeStorms]

7. I feel sorry for you.

I wouldn't set foot in Wisconsin if my life depended upon it. Yours might. This is something that can't be done on Zoom? I'd boycott any business being done in Wisconsin until the fascists are out of power, but that's just me.

[Luciferous]

8. Or just stay out of bars and restaurants where

they wanted to limit capacity?! Your comment is a little over the top.

[mezame]

10. Any Red State For That Matter

I wouldn't go out-of-state period right now. I haven't driven anywhere since last October, either - my van's battery died long ago. I am not going anywhere - waited this long, ain't gonna hurt me to stay put a bit longer.

I am, however, optimistic I can safely travel sometime this Summer, and only to see my vaxx'd friends. And if they haven't been jabbed, then I won't let them anywhere near me. Not invited to any of my reindeer games, sorry.

I get my 2nd Moderna early May; expect annual boosters thereafter till I die. At least until the next pandemic comes along anyway. In the meantime, if the Repugnants, Deplorables, Morans, CuePee Dolls (am I missing anyone? Oh yeah, Nazis) all die-off by then, I will (literally) breathe a lot easier.

[ananda]

12. Or Texas... oh wait. I live here.

OK, or Michigan.

[Luciferous]

9. As someone who lives in Wisconsin, I say

maybe if you think we're all fucking nuts you shouldn't come here.

[bahboo]

14. um..referring to the repubs in power...

thought it was obvious. Going on family business for what it's worth, and formerly lived there. Love it...hate what's happening now.

[NullTuples]

13. Given the Huntington Beach protests, that's saying something!

I'm up in NorCal & haven't been back to Wisconsin since before Walker. I used to enjoy visiting the state, too.

[Firestorm49]

11. F_____ing Republicans! I detest them. The will of the people be damned. The will of Republican

legislators, empowered by one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, rules supreme. We can’t vote these idiots out, and that’s not right.

In the last WI election, there were more votes for Democrats than Republicans, yet the Republicans could not be removed by the will of the electorate, and that, quite frankly, stinks.

Where is justice? Where is what’s right? Wisconsin is a mini fascist regime with a governor whose leadership has been reduced to taking out the garbage in the morning. He can’t take a crap without their approval.

F____ing Republicans!

[Warpy]

16. TYe fire department and public health department can and do limit capacity all the time.

Both of which have limited tragedies worsened by overcrowding in indoor venues of various types.

Republicans have lost all their senses, common or otherwise.

[old guy]

17. One other thing to keep in mind,

the Tavern League holds unbelievable power over the repub legislators. The league gets what it wants.

[Skittles]

18. I used to want to retire to Wisconsin

it was my favorite pit stop as a GI brat....now it just seems like red state hell