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UPDATED: Wisconsin Supreme Court Shoots Down Stay-At-Home Order - But Don't Think That's The End Of It

Wisconsin State Supreme Court Strikes Down Stay At Home Order
Photo manipulation for Chicago News Bench
Wisconsin state Supreme Court struck down Governor Tony Evers' order "shutting down daily life to limit the spread of coronavirus — marking the first time a statewide order of its kind has been knocked down by a court of last resort," reported The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today.

However, as noted below, at least one county has already picked up the ball and will restrict the opening of businesses. Expect other counties and municipalities to do the same.

 UPDATE, May 14: As originally noted, counties and municipalities have issued their own stay-at-home orders in Wisconsin. The Journal Sentinel has an updated "roundup of counties and cities that have announced their own measures, or will be continuing to follow [Governor] Evers' order." None are exactly like the struck-down Evan's order, and no two are exactly like any of the others. Full List.

"The state's highest court sided with Republican lawmakers Wednesday in a decision that curbed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' power to act unilaterally during public health emergencies.

The 4-3 decision was written by four of the court’s conservatives — Chief Justice Patience Roggensack and Justices Rebecca Bradley, Daniel Kelly and Annette Ziegler." Full Story at Journal Sentinel.

Read the entire 161-page court decision here (includes dissensions):
https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=260868

There is some confusion as to when the court's decision actually has any effect.

Mark Stern, above, says "no one knows if the decision takes effect immediately," but talk show host Dan O'Donnell says it takes effect (at least in part) "now."
The Tavern League of Wisconsin seems to agree with O'Donnell. They tweeted that "business can open immediately."
But NBC15 in Madison reported that the Tavern League might be wrong about establishments opening "immediately," at least not in all parts of Wisconsin. Madison is in Dane County, and they're not about to take the Supreme Court's decision go without their own attempt to make life miserable.

NBC15: "The powerful trade association also encouraged bar owners to follow Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation guidelines as well as information on the league's website. However, soon after the decision was handed down, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued a statement declaring health officials would use its own authority to issue an order that implements portions of the now-defunct Safer at Home order. That order does, in fact, restrict the opening of bars in Dane County. The Tavern League has yet to respond to NBC15's request for clarification on bars reopening in Dane County." (Emphasis added) Full Story at NBC15.

Some people, like Donald Trump, Jr., are thrilled with the court's decision:

Others, like Ben Wikler, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, not so much:
Also See:
Wisconsin Supreme Court overrides governor's stay-at-home order: The Hill
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