Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear arguments in Democratic governor's suit against GOP

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a case on Wednesday that pits Democratic Gov. Tony Evers against the Republican-controlled Legislature in a fight that could have a broad impact on how state government functions.

The case marks the latest power struggle between the Legislature and Evers, who has issued more vetoes than any Wisconsin governor. A ruling in favor of Evers would upend decades-old practices in the Legislature and make it easier to approve projects in a land stewardship program. But Republicans warn that the dispute is about much more than that.

Evers argues that the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, controlled 12-4 by Republicans, is exceeding its constitutional lawmaking authority and acting as a fourth branch of government. The Legislature counters that the committee’s powers, including the approval of certain state conservation projects, are well established in state law and court precedent.