Wisconsin held its 2023 spring general election on April 4. Spring elections in Wisconsin are officially nonpartisan and include offices such as judges, mayors, local legislative bodies, and school boards. Several notable races and referenda were on the ballot this year, including an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Issues 2023 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation
The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) today released its 2023 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation, which reviews the most important decisions issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that affect the Wisconsin business community. The 2023 Judicial Evaluation covers the 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 terms of the court.
Supreme Court Candidates Kelly, Protasiewicz Win Primary
In Wisconsin’s spring primary, held February 21, four candidates were on the ballot for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Former Justice Daniel Kelly, a judicial conservative, and Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a judicial liberal, were the top two vote-getters. They will face off in the general election on April 4.
Gov. Evers Delivers 2023-25 Budget Address, Including Problematic New Ways to Sue Businesses
Gov. Evers (D) gave his third biennial budget address on February 15, unveiling his 2023-25 executive budget recommendations. He proposes an operating budget of $103.8 billion over the next two fiscal years, adding a net 816.55 full-time equivalent positions. For comparison, the 2021-23 state budget spent $87.5 billion with a net reduction of 174.19 FTE positions.
Supreme Court Candidates Discuss Philosophy and Key Cases at WisPolitics Forum
Currently, judicial conservatives enjoy a 4-3 majority on Wisconsin’s elected supreme court. Justice Patience Roggensack, a judicial conservative, is not seeking reelection, creating a vacancy which will decide control of the court. The race will be hotly contested, attracting a significant amount of attention. The top two vote-getters in the February 21 primary will square off in the general election on April 4. The four candidates for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court met for a candidate forum on January 9.
Gov. Evers Begins Second Term as GOP Legislature Considers Broad Tax Reform
Inauguration Day in Wisconsin took place on January 3. Democratic incumbents Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul began their second terms in office, while Sara Rodriguez was sworn in as the state’s new lieutenant governor. Inauguration Day also marked the beginning of the 2023-24 Session of the Wisconsin Legislature, and 31 new members were sworn in, nearly 25 percent of the Legislature’s total membership.
Governor Signs 2021-23 State Budget With 50 Partial Vetoes
On Thursday, July 8, Governor Tony Evers (D) signed into law 2021 Act 58, the state budget for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, which began July 1. The Wisconsin Assembly approved the budget bill (Assembly Bill 68) on June 29, with the Senate concurring in the bill the following day. The two-year budget, assembled by the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee (JFC), spends $87.5 billion and cuts income and property taxes by $3.4 billion.
State Supreme Court Appoints New Chief Appellate Judge
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has announced the appointment of a new chief appellate judge and the reappointment of five chief circuit court judges, effective August 1.
Graef v. Continental Indemnity Company (Worker’s Compensation Exclusive Remedy)
In Graef v. Continental Indemnity Company (2018AP1782), the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that an employee’s negligence claim was barred by the exclusive-remedy provision of the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Act.
Kemper Independence Insurance Company v. Islami (Insurance Denial for Concealment or Fraud)
In Kemper Independence Insurance Company v. Islami (2019AP488), the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld an insurer’s denial of coverage based on the actions of a claimant’s estranged spouse.