MADISON, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network-WSAU) – Leading Republicans are challenging Governor Evers’ latest COVID-19 emergency order.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has asked the Department of Health Services to submit the governor’s latest emergency order to the Legislature’s rule-making committee. Lawmakers want to take up the order that limits the number of people in many businesses to 25-percent of capacity. If Health Services complies, the committee of lawmakers could vote to gut the order — or kill it altogether.
GOP leaders said on Friday that the emergency order does not have the effect of law until after a legislative hearing. But many county health departments have said they will enforce the new rules, and violations could be referred to the local district attorney for prosecution.
Some Republicans have called for a full special session to vote down the capacity mandate. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he was prepared to call a special session over the governor’s mask requirement, but assembly speaker Robin Vos has said he prefers to let private legal challenges to play out in the courts. Such a case is pending in St. Croix County, where a judge held a hearing but hasn’t issued a ruling yet.
