Wisconsin Supreme Court

State battles over abortion are leading to state constitutional amendments – an option in all states and available directly to citizens in 18 states

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 12, 2023

That’s when the Supreme Court ruled that there was no federal constitutional guarantee of the right to get an abortion.

Key Points: 
  • That’s when the Supreme Court ruled that there was no federal constitutional guarantee of the right to get an abortion.
  • Many people following the abortion battle focus on the part that state courts and state supreme court elections play.
  • I follow state constitutional amendments, which are adopted on a regular basis and revise the language of state constitutions.
  • These amendments shape abortion policy as much as state court rulings – and stand to play a big role in abortion rights in the future.

Using amendments to gain or deny rights

    • Meanwhile, constitutional amendments have also protected – and in some cases, denied – abortion rights.
    • Before the Dobbs ruling, abortion-related amendments invariably sought to limit protection for abortion rights by clarifying that there is no state constitutional right to abortion.
    • These amendments were designed in some cases to overturn state supreme court rulings that previously recognized abortion rights.

Drafting amendments to protect abortion rights

    • After the Dobbs decision, most proposed abortion-related amendments have aimed to expand protection of abortion rights.
    • In November 2022, voters in Vermont, California and Michigan approved amendments that explicitly protect reproductive rights.
    • Meanwhile, in some states that allow citizens to put amendments directly on the ballot, bypassing the need for legislative approval, abortion-rights groups are organizing in support of putting abortion-rights amendments on the ballot.

Bypassing the state legislature

    • In some states, amendments need the support of only a majority of legislators to be placed on the ballot for voter approval.
    • These are particularly powerful tools voters can use to get the outcomes they want, especially if measures to accomplish those goals have been defeated in state legislatures or rejected by courts.
    • But Florida, Colorado and Illinois set a higher threshold, and Nevada requires voters to approve citizen-led amendments in two consecutive elections.

Citizens can take the lead

    • In states that allow citizen-initiated amendments, citizens and groups can bypass legislators who might not support their issues.
    • So, even when state supreme court justices won’t recognize a right, voters can use the amendment process to get it.
    • In recent years, citizens have initiated and approved amendments to establish redistricting commissions, boost the minimum wage, expand Medicaid and legalize marijuana.

Ballotpedia's Top 15 - The Most Interesting and Consequential Political Stories to Follow in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 6, 2023

MIDDLETON, Wis., March 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballotpedia's election team has assembled its list of the 15 most interesting and consequential political stories to watch in 2023.

Key Points: 
  • MIDDLETON, Wis., March 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballotpedia's election team has assembled its list of the 15 most interesting and consequential political stories to watch in 2023.
  • Ballotpedia's top 15 political stories to watch are:
    Wisconsin Supreme Court election – The April election will determine ideological control of the court.
  • Merrill v. Milligan (United States Supreme Court case) – Will decide whether Alabama's 2021 congressional redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act.
  • Ballotpedia's top 15, especially in the context of the run-up to the 2024 presidential election may be as consequential as the main event."

TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 39 ENDORSES JANET PROTASIEWICZ FOR WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 24, 2023

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Joint Council 39 has unanimously endorsed Judge Janet Protasiewicz in the non-partisan election for Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Key Points: 
  • MILWAUKEE, Feb. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Joint Council 39 has unanimously endorsed Judge Janet Protasiewicz in the non-partisan election for Wisconsin Supreme Court.
  • "The Wisconsin Supreme Court is out of balance," said Bill Carroll, Joint Council 39 President.
  • Following their success in Wisconsin's 2022 statewide races, Joint Council 39 Teamsters are ramping up efforts to get the vote out for the Supreme Court election, which is set for Tuesday, April 4.
  • Teamsters Joint Council 39 represents more than 18,000 workers at four local unions across Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Voters Guide Highlights Differences Between Candidates in Critical Race

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 3, 2023

SEATTLE, Feb. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guides.Vote just released a nonpartisan guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court race .

Key Points: 
  • SEATTLE, Feb. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guides.Vote just released a nonpartisan guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court race .
  • The New York Times recently called the race "arguably the most important election in America in 2023," and given how confusing state Supreme Court races can be, our guide can help voters participate.
  • Four years ago, a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat was decided by 6,000 votes, while three quarters of eligible voters stayed home.
  • News outlets are encouraged to link to our Wisconsin Voter Guide, post it on their sites, and share on social channels.

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) Supports Courts’ Authority over a Hospital that Denies Patients’ Access to a Common Treatment

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 23, 2022

AAPS asks the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reestablish the authority of courts to order a hospital to stop interfering with a widely used, FDA-approved treatment for a hospitalized patient.

Key Points: 
  • AAPS asks the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reestablish the authority of courts to order a hospital to stop interfering with a widely used, FDA-approved treatment for a hospitalized patient.
  • The appellate court reversed the circuit court even though it had heard persuasive evidence from two physicians, one of whom is an expert on ivermectin.
  • The circuit court ordered the hospital to allow the patient to receive the treatment of his choice as prescribed by a physician he selected.
  • The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.

ENA Pleased by Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Health Care Worker Vaccine Mandate

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 13, 2022

For months, the association has beenon the record in support of a vaccination mandate for health care workers due to vaccines being the key element in the fight against COVID-19.

Key Points: 
  • For months, the association has beenon the record in support of a vaccination mandate for health care workers due to vaccines being the key element in the fight against COVID-19.
  • "ENA is pleasedby the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the federal mandate involving health care workersbecause oftheconnection it has tothe safety of emergency nurses and patients in the ED," said ENA President Jennifer Schmitz, MSN, EMT-P, CEN, CPEN, CNML, FNP-C, NE-BC.
  • With more than 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy.
  • ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care.

Attorneys With Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown Receive 2022 Elite Lawyer Award

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 14, 2021

MILWUAKEE, Dec. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The Milwaukee firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP is honored to announce that seven of their attorneys have been named 2022 Elite Lawyers in their areas of practice.

Key Points: 
  • MILWUAKEE, Dec. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The Milwaukee firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP is honored to announce that seven of their attorneys have been named 2022 Elite Lawyers in their areas of practice.
  • Elite Lawyer is a user-friendly directory for potential clients looking for a highly regarded attorney.
  • The attorneys with GRGB have earned this award by demonstrating continuous commitment to the legal community and their profession.
  • The law firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown was started in 1968 by Attorney Franklyn M. Gimbel.

Office of Special Counsel Invites Clerks to Share Information, Concerns

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 23, 2021

"The doors of the Office of Special Counsel will remain open to you and your staff throughout the duration of this investigation, and I look forward to speaking with you very soon."

Key Points: 
  • "The doors of the Office of Special Counsel will remain open to you and your staff throughout the duration of this investigation, and I look forward to speaking with you very soon."
  • Gableman clarified in a separate statement that his invitation is open to all 1,922 county and municipal clerks in the State of Wisconsin.
  • "The Office of Special Counsel exists to make sure that Wisconsin's elections are transparent, inclusive, and accountable," Gableman said.
  • "Wisconsin state law entrusts clerks with conducting our elections, so they will naturally be vital partners throughout this process."

Teamsters Joint Council 39 Endorses Neubauer For Wisconsin Supreme Court

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 30, 2019

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Teamsters Joint Council 39 Executive Board and Delegates have unanimously endorsed Judge Lisa Neubauer for Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Key Points: 
  • MILWAUKEE, Jan. 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Teamsters Joint Council 39 Executive Board and Delegates have unanimously endorsed Judge Lisa Neubauer for Wisconsin Supreme Court.
  • Judge Neubauer currently serves as Chief Judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and has been on the Court since 2007.
  • "The Wisconsin Supreme Court is out of balance with the majority of Justices at the beck and call of wealthy and corporate interests,"said Bill Carroll, Joint Council 39 Political Coordinator.
  • Teamsters Joint Council 39 represents more than 18,000 workers at four locals across Wisconsin.