GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A victory for Democrats in the Governors race paired with Republican victories in the State Senate and Assembly has many fearful of a political stalemate on the horizon.
Rick Esenberg, the President of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, joined WTAQ’s Morning News with Matt & Earl on Friday and said it’s not that easy.
He said in some regards specific legislation to curtail the Governor’s powers may be legit.
“Over the past five or six years, the Legislature has passed laws which limited the ability of the heads of agencies to make rules,” he explains.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has received criticism for possibly changing laws, which would limit Governor-elect Tony Evers power. Esenberg thinks he might be justified in considering changes to past laws.
“I think one of the things that the Speaker [Vos] proposes to do is to review those changes and see if additional adjustments are necessary,” he explains.
He says the Legislature reviewing those changes and possibly making adjustments is understandable, while any adjustments made simply because of a switch in the party of the governorship would lack transparency.
“I think it could be more legitimately criticized as something that is driven more by the election results, than good public policy,” Esenberg explains.
Whether the Legislation enacts changes or not is secondary, according to Esenberg, because the newly elected Governor is going to face problems purely based on the number of Republicans.
“Tony Evers is not going to be able to implement any type of broadened impressive agenda that requires legislation,” he says.
Governor-elect Evers took to Twitter on Wednesday warning Republicans and Vos that they should stop any attempts to limit the powers of his office.
“Let me be clear: the Republicans and Speaker Vos should stop any and all attempts to play politics and weaken the powers of the governor’s office in Wisconsin before I take the oath.”
Any sort of change would have to be signed and passed by Governor Walker prior to January 7th, before Tony Evers is sworn-in.
Evers will be able to veto any legislation, according to Republican representatives.
A two-thirds majority would be needed by Republicans to override any vetoes.
The entire conversation with Rick Esenberg can be heard here.
