Wisconsin Supreme Court Says Governor's 400-Year Edit Was Within Veto Authority
In a landmark decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has validated Governor Tony Evers' controversial partial veto that effectively extended a provision's impact for approximately 400 years, reinforcing the state's uniquely broad gubernatorial editing powers.
The court's ruling centers on Wisconsin's distinctive 'Frankenstein veto' provision, which allows governors to surgically modify legislative text by striking and combining words to create new meanings. In this case, Governor Evers altered a budget provision by strategically removing words, transforming a time-limited appropriation into a centuries-long funding mechanism.
Key aspects of the decision include:
- Affirming the governor's constitutional right to make substantive textual changes
- Recognizing the broad interpretative scope of Wisconsin's veto power
- Maintaining a long-standing tradition of expansive executive editing
Legal experts suggest the ruling underscores Wisconsin's unique approach to legislative checks and balances, where gubernatorial veto power extends far beyond traditional line-item editing. The decision highlights the state's constitutional flexibility and the potential for creative governmental interpretation.
While controversial, the court's decision reinforces Wisconsin's distinctive governmental framework, demonstrating how state-level constitutional provisions can dramatically differ from federal standards.
