This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/explain-it-to-me-dane-county-judge-upholds-partial-veto-of-literacy-program-legislation/

What Happened: This week a Dane County Judge upheld Governor Evers’ partial veto of legislation that created a new phonics-based literacy program in Wisconsin. While the Legislature created the program in one bill, it relied on a separate bill to direct $50 million in funding to DPI following approval from the Joint Finance Committee.  The Judge ruled the bills were “really one part of legislation.”

What Happens Next: Governor Evers has actually appealed part of the Judge’s decision to the Milwaukee-based District I Court of Appeals, focusing on whether the Judge Ehlke erred in finding DPI wasn’t entitled to the $50 million.  The Legislature appealed the Judge’s decision to the Waukesha-based District II Court of Appeals, focusing on whether the Governor exceeded his authority with the partial veto.