Wisconsin’s Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked an extension of the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order.
Gov. Tony Evers’ administration overstepped its authority when it pushed the shutdown to May 26, the court found in a 4-3 ruling.
The decision doesn’t immediately invalidate the order.
The court’s majority agreed to keep the shutdown in place until May 20, to give legislators and Evers’ administration time to drum up a new coronavirus plan.
The Democratic governor had issued a stay-at-home order in March, closing schools and non-essential businesses. It was supposed to lift on April 24, but was extended by the state’s Department of Health.
Worried about the economic fallout of the shutdown, Republicans asked the Supreme Court to block the extension, arguing it required legislative approval.
Evers’ administration argued it had the power to enact emergency measures to control viral diseases.
Nearly seven out of 10 Wisconsin residents back Evers’ “safer at home” order, according to a Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday.
With Post wires
