After Courts Block GOP Laws, WI GOP Pushes Bill To Strip Most State Courts’ Power To Block Laws

[Tx4obama]

After Courts Block GOP Laws, Wisconsin GOP Pushes Bill To Strip Most State Courts’ Power To Block Laws

Last November, Wisconsin was able to run a fair election unmarred by one of the Republican Party’s favorite voter suppression tactics because two lower courts struck down the state’s unconstitutional voter ID law, and the conservative state supreme court repeatedly refused requests to take up the case before it winds its way through the normal appeals process. Now, a group of Wisconsin Republicans are pushing legislation to ensure that something like this never happens again:

Since 2011, circuit judges have blocked all or parts of laws backed by Republicans that required voters to show photo ID at the polls, limited collective bargaining for public employees and expanded the governor’s power over administrative rules. Under a measure announced Wednesday, such injunctions would be automatically stayed as soon as they were appealed – meaning laws that were blocked would be put back in effect until a higher court issued a ruling. . . .

Currently, circuit court orders in general may not be stayed while an appeal is pending. Under the bill, circuit court orders blocking state laws could immediately be appealed. If appeals were filed within 10 days, the circuit court order would immediately be stayed. The Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court would have the power to reinstate the circuit court’s decision while the appeal was pending.

-snip-

Full article here: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/04/12/1855791/after-courts-block-gop-laws-wisconsin-gop-pushes-bill-to-strip-most-state-courts-power-to-block-laws/

[Scuba]

1. The Wisconsin Republicans relentless quest to find the bottom continues.

[octoberlib]

5. From what I've read in the newspapers , Scott Walker and my

Governor Pat McCrory are best buddies. I won't be surprised if they try this in NC next. They're desperate to find any way they can to keep Democrats from voting. On the bright side, Wisconsin is one of the states Howard Dean is targeting in his Purple to Blue Project.

[octoberlib]

2. This is frightening. nt

[TxDemChem]

4. It really is

They just make me so damn sick! I hope they get their asses handed to them. On the flip side, I've seen some right-leaning moderates become disgusted by all of their crazy tactics. I say bring it! Keep pushing moderates our way.

[summerschild]

3. Scuba, what is the overall mood of the Wisconsin people now?

I so admired and supported the people of Wisconsin through their earlier battles and recalls.

Your term "relentless" is right on the mark. I just wondered how their resolve is holding up.

[Scuba]

6. Good question for which I don't know the answer. It's not easy to remain resilient ...

... but we do have certain inspirations.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101660667

[blkmusclmachine]

7. These f/ckers HAVE TO BE STOPPED.

This is war.

[Cannikin]

8. Arkansas has a similar bill in the works.

I say similar, it's probably identical since they all come from the same place.

http://gaveltogavel.us/site/2013/04/11/more-movement-on-stripping-arkansas-supreme-courts-rulemaking-authority-confusing-nonbinding-resolution-passes-constitutional-amendment-still-possible/

[blackspade]

9. Seems to be blatantly unconstitutional.

Separation of powers and all that....