Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, vowed to ask GOP legislative leaders to sue the UW System over its COVID-19 policies while accusing some of his Republican colleagues of being “soft.”
The UW System refused to submit its COVID-19 policies to the Legislature through the administrative rules process despite a vote from JCRAR demanding it do so. Yesterday was the deadline to submit the policies.
President Tommy Thompson announced last month the system would deny the request, believing it had the authority to implement the policies. Nass then vowed to seek legal action.
But Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, quickly announced his opposition. The Legislature often initiates lawsuits through the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization. Steineke sits on the committee, which has a 6-4 GOP majority.
Yesterday, Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, announced his opposition to a lawsuit as well. The Senate could initiate a suit on its own through Senate Org.
Nass, co-chair of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, said in a statement late yesterday that he would ask Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, to seek legal action on behalf of his committee.
“I will continue to oppose and fight unlawful Covid-19 mandates issued by any state agency regardless of being led by a Democrat appointee or a former Republican governor,” Nass said. “Sadly, some in my party will only oppose unlawful Covid-19 mandates when issued by the other party.”
See Nass’ statement here.
