Wisconsin just witnessed a political showdown that could reshape the balance of power between a Democratic governor and a Republican-led Legislature.
CBS News reported that on Wednesday, the state Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling that slapped down Governor Tony Evers’s attempt to wield his veto pen with abandon. This decision is a win for those who believe in checks and balances over unchecked executive overreach.
In a nutshell, the court sided with the GOP-controlled Legislature, ruling that Evers’ partial veto of a bill tied to K-12 literacy program funding was unconstitutional while affirming the Legislature’s right to stash money in an emergency fund under their control.
Let’s rewind a bit to set the stage. Evers, now in his seventh year as governor, has long been at odds with Republican lawmakers, often using his veto powers to thwart their agenda.
Back in 2023, Evers signed a bill creating an early literacy coaching program within the Department of Public Instruction, complete with grants for schools adopting approved reading curricula.
Republicans, however, allocated $50 million for this initiative into a separate emergency fund managed by their budget committee, where it’s been stuck in limbo due to disputes over who gets to call the shots.
Evers tried to bypass this roadblock with a partial veto, aiming to streamline the process and give the Department of Public Instruction more flexibility while cutting out grants for private voucher and charter schools.
GOP legislators weren’t having it—they sued, arguing his veto overstepped legal bounds. And the court agreed, ruling that since the bill didn’t directly allocate funds, Evers’ move was out of line.
“The constitution gives the governor authority to veto in part only appropriation bills,” wrote Justice Rebecca Bradley, drawing a clear line in the sand. With all due respect to the governor, this interpretation seems like a straightforward reading of the law, not a judicial overreach. It’s a reminder that even well-intentioned leaders must play by the rules.
The court didn’t stop at the veto issue—it also upheld the Legislature’s ability to park money, like the $50 million for literacy, in an emergency fund they control. This isn’t pocket change; about $230 million, roughly half a percentage point of the state budget, sat in such a fund in the last cycle. It’s a clever—if controversial-way—way for lawmakers to keep a tight grip on spending.
Evers argued the Legislature shouldn’t be allowed to indefinitely withhold these funds and pushed for the court to order their release to the education department.
The justices declined, stating they lack the authority to intervene since the money was appropriated to the Legislature’s control. If no action is taken by Monday, June 30, 2025, that $50 million will slip back into the state’s general fund, potentially leaving literacy programs high and dry.
“It is unconscionable that the Wisconsin Supreme Court is allowing the Legislature's indefinite obstruction to go unchecked,” Evers fumed in a statement. While his frustration is understandable, one could argue this ruling simply reinforces a system where no single branch hoards all the power. Balance isn’t always pretty, but it’s necessary.
This ruling isn’t the first time the court has weighed in on Evers’ veto powers—earlier in 2025, they upheld his partial veto, securing a school funding boost for centuries to come.
That was a win for the governor, but this latest decision tilts the scales back toward the Legislature. It’s a mixed bag, showing the judiciary isn’t playing favorites but rather sticking to constitutional principles.
Republican lawmakers have been ramping up their use of emergency funds as a way to sidestep Evers’ vetoes, and this ruling will likely embolden them to craft budgets that further limit his influence.
For conservatives tired of seeing progressive policies pushed through executive fiat, this feels like a breath of fresh air. Still, it’s worth noting the impact on programs like literacy that could get caught in the crossfire.
Last year, in 2024, the court curbed some powers of the Legislature’s budget committee, a decision that seemed to favor Evers at the time. Now, with the pendulum swinging the other way, it’s clear this power struggle is far from over. Both sides are digging in, and Wisconsin’s political landscape remains a battleground.
The $50 million for literacy programs hangs in the balance, and with the clock ticking, there’s little room for compromise. This isn’t just about reading skills for K-12 students—it’s about who ultimately controls the purse strings in Madison. Republicans have scored a point here, but the broader fight over state spending is bound to heat up.