MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Latest on the legal fight over whether the Wisconsin state Senate legally confirmed 82 of former Gov. Scott Walker’s appointments during a lame-duck session (all times local):
12:20 p.m.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers says he decided to give dozens of Republican appointees their jobs back because they fill low-profile positions.
Senate Republicans confirmed 82 GOP appointees during a December lame-duck session. A Dane County judge ruled last week the session was illegal and Evers rescinded the appointments.
An appeals court stayed the ruling on Wednesday, creating confusion about the appointees’ status. Evers gave 67 of the employees their jobs back Thursday with no explanation.
On Friday Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald rejected Evers’ actions, saying the stay means the appointees never lost their jobs in the first place.
Evers told reporters during an appearance at a business conference in Madison that he feels he could legally rescind the appointments because the lower court invalidated the session.
He says he reappointed most of the employees because they’re serving on low-profile boards and commissions and it’s hard to find people willing to serve. He says he hadn’t seen Fitzgerald’s latest remarks ” in the huffing and puffing world. ”
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11:40 a.m,
The state Senate’s top Republican is rejecting 67 of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointments, saying a court ruling prevents him from filling the positions.
Senate Republicans confirmed 82 of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s appointees during a December lame-duck session. A Dane County judge last week ruled the session was illegal, prompting Evers to rescind the appointments.
A state appeals court on Wednesday stayed the ruling. Republicans maintain that order means all 82 appointees remain in place. Evers disagrees but on Thursday he reappointed 67 of the 82 appointees with no explanation.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald sent Evers a letter on Friday saying he got the list of appointees but the list ” must be in error ” because the stay means the positions are already filled. He says any attempt to change that would violate the stay order.