Recent talk of impeaching a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice has ignored the actual process of removal for an ethics violation, which requires a two-thirds Assembly vote
Author Archives: Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch
Matthew DeFour started in September 2022 as Wisconsin Watch's first statehouse bureau chief. Previously at the Wisconsin State Journal he covered state and local government for 16 years, including four years as state politics editor. He has a BSJ and MSJ from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He was honored by his peers as the 2020 Wisconsin Watchdog of the Year.
Posted inGovernment
Wisconsin Supreme Court emails detail chaotic first week of liberal control
Justices clashed publicly over rules changes and firing top administrator, but new records highlight key conflict over how quickly court business should move.
Posted inGovernment
Read the emails from the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s first week under liberal rule
Wisconsin Watch obtained the following emails under the Wisconsin open records law from Chief Justice Annette Ziegler and Justices Rebecca Bradley and Brian Hagedorn, the members of the court’s conservative minority.
Posted inGovernment
Wisconsin Democrats on ‘veto watch’ after Tony Evers blocks 10 bills
Republicans don’t control two-thirds of the Assembly, but they only need two-thirds of those present on a session day to override the governor’s veto.
Posted inJustice & Safety
Wisconsin law still refers to husband and wife, a reminder to LGBTQ+ families that their rights are at risk
The courts and Evers administration have stepped in, but bipartisan efforts to make state law neutral to reflect status of same-sex couples have stalled
Posted inGovernment
Republicans can’t simply remove a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice
Rep. Dan Knodl’s 8th Senate District victory gives Republicans a two-thirds Senate majority, creating speculation about whether they could impeach Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz.
Posted inGovernment
Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ‘fractured opinions’ leave state without clear guidance
Democrats hope if Janet Protasiewicz defeats Dan Kelly, past conservative decisions lacking a clear rationale will be easier for a liberal court to overturn
Posted inGovernment
Conservatives, liberals weigh in on Wisconsin Supreme Court ‘activism’
The candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court have accused each other of putting politics above the law. Supporters point to cases that explain what that means.
Posted inDemocracy on the Ballot, Government
Dane County election review finds dozens of ineligible voters who cast ballots
Small number of cases shows why election officials say Wisconsin’s disorganized system for tracking those adjudicated ‘incompetent’ to vote needs a legislative fix.
Posted inGovernment
After rejecting staffing requests, Wisconsin Republicans approve DSPS audit
The state Department of Safety and Professional Services amassed a $47 million surplus — and agency call center service plummeted — while the Legislature rebuffed Gov. Tony Evers’ asks for more help
Posted inDemocracy on the Ballot, Government
Wisconsin’s Assembly maps are more skewed than ever. What happens now?
Gerrymandering continues to present a problem for Democrats and democracy in Wisconsin, but Republicans are unlikely to address the issue anytime soon.
Posted inGovernment
WisEye Morning Minute: Election 2022 Recap with Capitol Reporters Shawn Johnson and Matthew DeFour
On this Nov. 14, 2022 episode of Newsmakers, WisconsinEye Host Lisa Pugh sits down with Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief, and Matthew DeFour, Wisconsin Watch Statehouse Bureau Chief, to share their latest thoughts on Wisconsin’s future.