OPINION: This article contains commentary which reflects the author’s opinion
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down a mask mandate put in place by Democrat Gov. Tony Evers.
In a crucial 4-3 ruling, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that Evers mandate exceeded his authority.
Evers then reinstated the mandate via executive order.
“The governor’s repeated abuse of emergency powers and pervasive violation of state statute created a state of chaos and had to be stopped,” LeMahieu said.
“We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic that so far has claimed the lives of over a half million people in this country. And with the stakes so high, the majority not only arrives at erroneous conclusions, but it also obscures the consequence of its decision. Unfortunately, the ultimate consequence of the majority’s decision is that it places yet another roadblock to an effective governmental response to COVID-19,” she added.
This is the second time the Conservative-controlled state Supreme Court has struck down orders from Evers.
Back in May, the court struck down Evers’ stay-at-home order, finding that his health secretary lacked the authority to issue such an order.
Last November, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected many of the governor’s strictest rules.
The ruling came in the form of a 4–3 decision that invalidated restrictions on business and social gatherings.
Evers melted down at the time and accused the GOP of having “no plan” and asserting that there is “no question among anybody that people are going to get sick” as a result of the Republican-led push against his policies.
“Republicans own that chaos,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Evers has made COVID-19 restrictions a recurring theme of his administration, taking time earlier this week to tout his radical response.
The governor insisted: “Wisconsin, this is serious. The crisis is urgent. It’s not safe to go out, it’s not safe to have others over — it’s just not safe. And it might not be safe for a while yet. So please, cancel the happy hours, dinner parties, sleepovers, and play dates at your home. And if a friend or family member invites you over, offer to hang out virtually instead.”