Wis. Teachers Union Challenges Law Giving Governor Veto Power
The Wisconsin Education Association Council today sued to block a law that gives the governor veto powers over rules written by other elected officials and state agencies, including the Department of Public Instruction, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
It’s the latest of many battles between Wisconsin state employees and Gov. Scott Walker stemming from special legislation he signed in May. Before the Wisconsin law was enacted, the governor already had control over most state agencies. However, the new legislation gave him authority over rules written by the Department of Justice and Department of Public Instruction, overseen by independently elected constitutional officers, and the Government Accountability Board, which is run by an independent board.
Previously, the administrative rules were written by state agencies and reviewed by the legislature before they could take effect.
“The state constitution clearly requires that the elected state superintendent establish educational policies,” WEAC President Mary Bell, a plaintiff in the suit, said in a statement. “The governor’s extreme power grab must not spill over into education policy in our schools.”
