Gov. Evers sues Republicans over blocking UW pay raises, conservation projects
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers is suing Republican lawmakers for withholding already approved pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees and rejecting conservation projects, arguing the actions made by GOP-controlled committees violate the state constitution.
The lawsuit was filed against several GOP lawmakers who control powerful committees that have blocked pay adjustments for 35,000 UW employees, conservation projects under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and updates to ethical standards for social workers, counselors and marriage and family therapists.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Josh Kaul filed the petition on behalf of Gov. Evers, arguing the GOP-controlled Legislature is "unconstitutionally and unlawfully obstructing basic government functions" by rejecting budget proposals and other administrative policies.
Evers is asking the state Supreme Court to accept the case directly, bypassing the lower courts, because of the "significant statewide importance" as well as the “exigent harms” on individuals and projects impacted.
"When the Republicans decided that 35,000 people that work for the UW system shouldn't get a raise, without having any legislation that gives them that authority, that's just bullshit," Evers told reporters at an event in Madison.
Gov. Evers says it’s “bullsh**” Republicans blocked already approved pay raises for UW employees.
— Emilee Fannon (@Emilee_Fannon) October 31, 2023
He’s in Madison at an event about open enrollment for healthcare coverage. https://t.co/u545vgNpL6 pic.twitter.com/QAWhNzMuJp
Two weeks ago, Republicans on the Joint Committee on Employee Relations denied a 6% pay raise approved in the 2023-2025 state budget for UW employees, a move that stems from an ongoing fight over diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), who co-chairs the committee, vowed to withhold raises until the UW cut $32 million from their budget and eliminated 188 staffing positions related to DEI.
The committee did approve 4% raises to all other state employees.
Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), who also serves on the committee, spoke out against the decision and said after the vote he was "very disappointed" UW employees were not included in the wage increases.
On Tuesday, Marklein told reporters he still supports approving those raises, but declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Vos said pay increases approved by the committee could be eliminated if the liberal majority state Supreme Court sides with Evers.
“Today’s lawsuit by Governor Evers and Attorney General Kaul is an attempt to eliminate the 4% raises given to all state employees by the legislature," Vos said in a statement. "In a time of unprecedented inflation brought on by reckless Democrat spending, we think it is abhorrent that the Governor would try and take away lawfully approved money for hardworking state employees.”
If successful, the lawsuit could also impact several other controversial decisions made by the committees such as blocking 7th graders from getting vaccinated against meningitis and allowing social workers and therapists to try and change a person's sexual orientation, a practice known as conversion therapy.
Republicans named in the suit that oversee many of the powerful committees include senators Howard Marklein, Chris Kapenga, Steve Nass and representatives Mark Born, Adam Neylon and Robin Vos.
Nass called the legal filing a "power grab" and an attempt to restrict powers long held by certain committees.
“In Wisconsin, we are witnessing a radical power grab by Tony Evers and his leftist allies on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to empower unelected state bureaucrats and minimize the constitutional oversight powers of elected state legislators,” Nass said.