Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Extended "Safer at Home" Order
What does this really mean?
Last Tuesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case brought by the Republicans in the state legislature against Andrea Palm, secretary, designee of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services. The case alleged that Palm overstepped her authority when she issued Emergency Order 28, which extended Governor Evers' original stay-at-home order, Emergency Order 12. Yesterday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its decision in this case. On a 4-3 vote, the court agreed with the State Legislature and determined that the extended stay-at-home-order is not valid or enforceable, effective immediately. 
Upon hearing about the court's decision, WFA immediately contacted constitutional attorneys to make sure we understood the decision and got a clearer picture of what might happen next. The attorneys confirmed that effective immediately Emergency Order 28 is null and void, with the exception that schools are still closed. However, at this point since the legislature and the governor have not acted together to pass a law that clarifies next steps in dealing with opening Wisconsin, counties have authority to put in place orders, rules and guidelines for businesses and places of worship in their jurisdiction. Dane County issued such an order shortly after the court decision was made public, followed soon by Brown County.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) president, Rick Esenberg, "The Court's decision ensures that Wisconsin's response to COVID-19 must involve both the executive and legislative branch. Wisconsin will be better for it. The grave nature of the pandemic cannot be used to subvert our very form of government."
IMPORTANT: Our attorneys advised us to let people know, especially pastors and ministry leaders, that the best thing they could do right now regarding reopening churches is to contact their local county health department to see what rules and guidelines they have in place.
In a related case, this past Monday, two Wisconsin citizens filed a lawsuit against Andrea Palm, secretary-designee of Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services. This lawsuit deals specifically with religious freedom questions related to the extended stay-at-home order, alleging it infringes upon the rights of freedom of worship and liberty of conscience, as well as freedom of speech and assembly protected under the Wisconsin Constitution.This lawsuit basically asked how far can government go and how long can constitutional rights and freedoms be set aside, even in a declared emergency? Do emergencies justify what can easily become usurpation of constitutional rights? As of today, the court has not indicated whether they will take this case. With the other case involving the state legislature now decided, this one may not be needed at this point.
Another lawsuit was also filed as recently as this week, Monday, by a hair salon owner in Appleton which "argues the state’s order violates [the hair salon owner's] right to exercise religion, her freedom of assembly, her freedom of speech, and violates the equal protection clause."
Wisconsin Family Action will keep you updated on this issue.
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WFA PAC Endorsed Tom Tiffany Wins 7th Congressional District
On Tuesday, May 12, a special election was held for the seat vacated by former Rep. Sean Duffy in the 7th Congressional District. Republican Tom Tiffany came out victorious over Democrat Tricia Zunker, 57% to 43% respectively.
Like every other seat in Congress, the 7th Congressional District is on the ballot in November; so Tiffany will have to quickly get back into campaign mode after this election to keep his seat this fall.
Wisconsin Family Action PAC congratulates Representative-elect Tom Tiffany on his campaign victory!
Every Eligible Wisconsin Voter Needs a Plan
"Two-thirds of Democratic voters in Wisconsin say they plan to vote by mail in elections later this year, according to a new poll by the Marquette University Law School.
"But only one-quarter of Republicans plan to do so, the survey found.
"That is a staggering difference at a time when the coronavirus crisis has quickly transformed voting by mail in Wisconsin from an election footnote to a central feature." Read more HERE.
"Some would like talk of elections to go away or at least take a break," says WFA president Julaine Appling. "But that’s not going to happen in a presidential election year, especially not in our state with the Democratic convention happening in Milwaukee in August and with the uncertainty of COVID-19. What’s important is that every eligible Wisconsin voter plans ahead and actually votes, whether by absentee or in-person."
If you haven't already registered to vote, CLICK HERE.
If you want future ballots send to you in the mail, CLICK HERE. Many things can interfere with voting in person such as illness, unforeseen family emergencies, unavoidable travel, and more. Voting absentee ensures your voice is heard no matter what comes your way.
Children Belong to Their Parents. Period.
Earlier this year, fourteen parents of children in the Madison Metropolitan School District filed a lawsuit alleging district policies regarding transgender students purposefully keep parents in the dark about what their child is doing in this regard at school and even encourages staff to deceive parents, if necessary. The district has asked the court to dismiss the case and is arguing that if it goes forward, the names of the parents should not be kept anonymous as the original filing requested. An initial hearing in the case is scheduled before a Dane County judge on Tuesday, May 26.
The school district has a fundamental misconception. Children do not belong to the state nor to one of its agencies—in this case a public school. Children belong to their parents, who are responsible for them in every way. Nothing should be withheld from parents of minor children. It is the height of arrogance for the district to persist in claiming their policies are right and these parents are wrong.
READ MORE HERE
Wisconsin Family Action is your voice for families in your community, in the state and in the legislature. Click HERE to partner with us securely today!
IN THE MEDIA
WEEKLY RADIO COMMENTARY. "WISCONSIN FAMILY CONNECTION" - Airing this week on over 20 stations statewide. Read the transcript of this week's commentary HERE. Listen to this week's Wisconsin Family Connection, "Constitutional Rights, Emergencies, & Elections" HERE. Subscribe to our podcasts HERE!
ARCHIVED:
Week of May 4, 2020 - When Two Isn't Better Than One
"WISCONSIN FAMILY MINUTE" - A daily program for Christian radio stations! Click HERE for our daily program; listen or download! Click HERE to subscribe to your Wisconsin Family Minute podcasts! Find your local station HERE. If the Christian radio station you listen to isn't carrying "Wisconsin Family Minute," please encourage them to do so. Contact us at 866-849-2536 or [email protected].
HOME FRONT - VCY AMERICA
WFC President Julaine Appling hosts VCY America's "Home Front" program every Wednesday afternoon (Sept.-May) at 3:15 p.m. Click HERE to listen to Julaine give a reminder about school choice deadlines, a rundown on yesterday's special election, an overview of this fall's elections, including a discussion of mail-in vs. in-person voting, and an "I-can't-believe-it" story from a court. Click HERE to subscribe to future Home Front podcasts!
VCY AMERICA TV30 "InFocus"
Julaine Appling, WFC president, is a regular guest (one Monday per month) on VCY America’s TV 30 "InFocus" live, call-in program with Jim Schneider which airs on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m. (Sept. through May). Livestream InFocus HERE. Julaine was most recently on "InFocus" with host Jim Schneider giving an election update on Monday, April 6, 2020. Click HERE to watch the archived episode. Julaine's next appearance on "InFocus" will be Monday, May 18, 2020.
STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH - Q90 FM
Julaine Appling is a regular guest on Q90's "Stand Up for The Truth" program (9-10 a.m., M-F).
CLICK HERE to listen to Julaine on today's "Stand Up for the Truth" program on Q90fm, hosted by David Fiorazo once the archived program becomes available.
--WFA's president Julaine Appling is available to speak to your group, church, school, civic organization, and other events. Call 
--Dave Lingle, Wisconsin Family Council's Church Ambassador, is available to speak in churches. Call 
