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A6 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 22 June 2019
Democrats look to other lawsuits to block GOP lame-duck laws

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wis- voting, which was taken
consin Democrats trying to up as part of a larger case
undo laws passed by Re- challenging laws approved
publicans during a lame- prior to the lame-duck ses-
duck session just before sion.
Gov. Scott Walker left office A group of liberal-leaning
are putting their hopes be- organizations led by the
hind a federal court chal- League of Women Voters
lenge following a resound- sued in January alleging
ing legal defeat Friday. the laws are invalid be-
The conservative-con- cause legislators convened
trolled Wisconsin Supreme illegally to pass them in De-
Court, breaking 4-3 along cember. The groups main-
ideological lines, upheld tained the Legislature's
the lame-duck session dur- session had ended months
ing which Republicans earlier and that the lame-
passed laws limiting the duck floor session wasn't
powers of incoming Demo- part of the Legislature's reg-
cratic Gov. Tony Evers and ular schedule.
Attorney General Josh Kaul. But the Supreme Court de-
Most of the laws — en- clared that the Wisconsin
acted just weeks before In this June 20, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, surrounded by Democratic lawmakers Constitution gives lawmak-
and members of his Cabinet at a Capitol news conference, is urging Republicans who control the
Walker left office after his Legislature to pass a state budget that includes Medicaid expansion and more money for schools, ers the authority to decide
November defeat — have in Madison, Wis. when to meet.
been reinstated and are in Associated Press "The terminology the Legis-
effect while the legal chal- lature chooses to accom-
lenges proceed. tees, among other rights. our way, and rule that the legislation may be better plish the legislative process
The case decided on Fri- Vincent Levy, an attorney lame-duck laws unconsti- fought in federal court. is squarely the prerogative
day turned on a procedur- for the Wisconsin Demo- tutionally struck core prin- There is another case be- of the Legislature," the con-
al challenge to the calling cratic Party in that lawsuit, ciples of our democracy." ing fought at the state level servative majority wrote.
of the session itself. A pend- said he was disappointed Evers' attorney Tamara brought by unions chal- Three liberal justices dis-
ing federal case gets at the with the state court's ruling, Packard said that given lenging the laws before the sented, saying the Legisla-
laws passed, arguing that but that he was confident the current makeup of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. ture went beyond what is
they violate the U.S. Con- "the federal courts, review- state Supreme Court, politi- A federal judge has also constitutionally allowable
stitution's free speech and ing our claims with inde- cal disputes such as those separately blocked one when it convened the
equal protection guaran- pendence, will see things involving the lame-duck provision that limited early lame-duck session.q

New York to curtail use of

solitary confinement in prisons

In a news release, they said practice to torture and say came out against the pro-
they would "ultimately" cap solitary can leave lifelong posal and described it as "a
the amount of time prison- psychological scars. direct attack on labor and
ers can spend in solitary New York mental health the law enforcement com-
confinement at 30 days. It professionals and advo- munity."
says the agreement would cates had also signed a Through a spokesman, the
increase training on implicit proposal to restrict isola- association Friday declined
bias and de-escalation tion. to comment on the new
techniques. A campaign pushing for agreement.
There are about 47,000 in- the legislative measure is- Alphonso David, counsel
mates in the state's prisons. sued a statement saying to the governor, said a 30-
Nathylin Flowers marches with protesters against solitary con- Cuomo, who has said he the measure would have day limit on isolation will be
finement at New York state correctional facilities, during a rally
to urge New York state legislators to pass reform legislation at favors safer and more hu- passed if it received a vote. implemented as soon as
the state Capitol Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Albany, N.Y. mane procedures, aired "As a result of this appalling possible.
Associated Press concerns earlier this week act of cowardice people New York lawmakers have
over the legislative pro- will continue to be tortured addressed other criminal
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New Assembly Speaker Carl posal. The legislative plan, and will die. We are dev- justice reform topics this
York is going to restrict the Heastie, all Democrats, said he said, would require the astated," according to a session.
use of solitary confinement Thursday they've agreed to construction of new facili- statement from the #HALT- A key item in the state
in state prisons, despite fail- "dramatically reduce" the ties and cost jails about $1 solitary Campaign. budget eliminates cash
ing to pass legislation that use of solitary confinement billion statewide. The campaign said they bail for misdemeanors and
would have prohibited put- by implementing changes "The solution is often not as had been given assuranc- nonviolent arrests. Another
ting a prisoner in isolation administratively. easy as the political rheto- es the measure was a prior- criminal justice reform item
for more than 15 consecu- The deal would prohibit ric," he said Friday. ity for both chambers. in the budget requires of-
tive days. certain "vulnerable" pris- Supporters of the propos- Michael Powers, president ficers to issue appearance
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Sen- oners from being put in al argued the legislation of the New York State Cor- tickets, instead of taking
ate Majority Leader An- solitary, including pregnant would not require any new rectional Officers & Police someone into custody for
drea Stewart-Cousins and women and adolescents. jails. They also compare the Benevolent Association, low-level crimes.q