A July 5 ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court says that the Republican-controlled budget committee in the state’s legislature cannot legally block implementation of conservation projects previously initiated by the administration of Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
The 6-1 decision concluded that legal provisions requiring the Joint Finance Committee to block land acquisitions and projects that have been funded with monies drawn from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program were drawn up in violation of the separation of powers required in the state constitution between the executive and legislative branches of the state government.
Writing for the majority, Justice Rebecca Bradley said that the Legislature granted the executive branch the power to use the stewardship money when it voted to establish the program. That power, once conferred, stripped lawmakers of the authority to reject spending decisions unless the lawmakers choose to rewrite existing spending laws.
The stewardship program was created in 1989. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources uses the program’s funds to disburse monies, in the form of grants, to NGOs and local governments for environmental stewardship projects. The money is also used by a cabinet agency to acquire private land for public use and conservation purposes. The agency is currently authorized to spend $33.2 million per fiscal year through 2024-26.
The ruling is a victory for Evers, who has proved unable to maintain a viable working relationship with Republican lawmakers since taking office in 2019. It also marks a victory for the state’s environmentalist constituency.
Speaking of the ruling, Evers praised the court for “rightfully” resetting the historic separation of powers and constitutional checks and balances in the state. He said that the decision represents a victory for Wisconsin’s people, who deserve to have the government working for their interests, rather than opposing them.
Misha Tseytlin, the attorney who represented the Legislature in the case, did not respond to requests from the Associated Press on July 5 seeking comment on the ruling.
