Ruling throws Wisconsin into chaos
Dems’ stay-at-home order tossed out
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers warned Thursday of “massive confusion” after the state Supreme Court tossed out the Democrat’s stay-at-home order and Republicans said they may leave it to local governments to enact their own rules to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The court’s order threw communities into chaos, with some bars opening immediately, while local leaders in other areas moved to keep strict restrictions in place to prevent further spread of the virus.
If Wisconsin is to have a statewide plan, Evers will have to work with the same Republicans whose lawsuit resulted in Wednesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling. After a Thursday meeting with Evers, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the two sides may not be able to reach agreement and that a statewide policy might not be needed.
“Apparently, they believe that different rules are OK,” Evers said of Republicans.
Vos downplayed the concern. “We already know that local health departments have the ability to utilize their power, which is already there to deal with those situations if they feel it’s unsafe,” Vos said.
Wisconsin is one of several states where governors have run into increasing resistance from Republican legislators over coronavirus restrictions. Democratic governors in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Louisiana have faced a mix of legislation and lawsuits aiming to curtail their power. And in Kansas on Wednesday, Republicans resisted the Democratic governor’s request to extend a disaster declaration.
It’s not clear whether any of those states will see as thorough a move as in Wisconsin, where Republican legislative leaders have long been able to count on help from the conservative-dominated state Supreme Court.
Vos said he had faith that the “vast majority” of Wisconsin businesses would act responsibly and open with precautions, such as ensuring customers keep at least 6 feet away from each other.
That wasn’t the case at some bars Wednesday night. Nick’s Bar in Platteville, in far southwest Wisconsin, posted a 30-second video that showed it teeming with people who were not wearing masks. Bars in Appleton and Kaukauna in northeast Wisconsin, and others across the state, also were packed.
The party may be short-lived in Appleton, where an order took effect at 8 a.m. Thursday continuing the state’s “safer at home” order. Other communities were taking similar steps, among them Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha County and Brown County, home to Green Bay.
Evers’ legal counsel Ryan Nilsestuen said the court’s order made it unclear whether the state health secretary could quickly respond to future health emergencies, including a spike in COVID-19 cases.
“The court didn’t provide any clarity or guidance on how to move forward,” he said, calling that “very problematic.”
Steven Whitehurst, 29, of Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb, went to a sit-down restaurant Thursday for the first time in two months.
“It was super surreal, I won’t lie,” he said. “It didn’t feel real or right, but it also felt very comfortable.”