Wisconsin Republicans sue governor over stay-at-home order

MADISON, Wis. — Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to block an extension of the Democratic governor’s stay-at-home order, the most partisan divide yet in the fight against the coronavirus. They argue Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm exceeded her authority by exercising “czar-like powers.” Vos and Fitzgerald said there was “immense frustration” with the extension, which the lawsuit argues if left in place will devastate the economy and leave Wisconsin “in shambles.” Protests against the order have popped up around the state, with one scheduled for Friday at the Capitol. “Now, if the state Republicans don’t think Donald Trump is appropriate, they can deal with Donald Trump, I guess.” Also Tuesday, Pence visited GE Healthcare in Madison, where he thanked the workers manufacturing ventilators for patients hospitalized with the virus. Former Vice President Joe Biden accused Pence of using Wisconsin as a “backdrop to a political photo opportunity.” Pence, who has sought to assure states about federal help, posed with GE Healthcare employees and accepted a T-shirt that said “Union machinists saves lives.” He thanked them and their union for upping production. In a letter to Pocan, Baldwin and Moore, FEMA regional administrator James Joseph said the agency has made “enormous efforts” to fulfill Wisconsin’s needs but that global demand outpaces supply.