Wisconsin Republicans are using a rare lame-duck session to limit the powers of a new Democratic governor

Wisconsin Gov.-elect Tony Evers
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Before Republican legislators in Wisconsin unveiled a 141-page packet of legislation Friday afternoon for an unusual lame-duck session, state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) said the proposals would be "inside baseball, kind of legislative stuff that it's hard for me to believe people will get too excited about." Democrats, at least, got excited, calling the legislation a power grab by the GOP-controlled legislature and outgoing Gov. Scott Walker (R) against Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers and incoming Attorney General Josh Kaul (D).

The new proposals, to be voted on Tuesday, would reduce the authority of the governor and attorney general in several ways, including limiting Kaul's ability to oversee legal challenges to previously approved laws, ensuring Evers can't control the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and limiting his ability to shape legislation via state agencies.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.