Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: Supreme Court Ruling Reins in Defiant State Agencies

MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) applauded the state Supreme Court on Tuesday for upholding the rule of law and ensuring state agencies operate within their authority granted by the legislature. The 2017 REINS Act requires agencies to provide scope statements to the Department of Administration and the governor to ensure they have the authority to promulgate a rule or enact policy. Tuesday’s ruling in Kristi Koschkee et al v. Carolyn Stanford Taylor confirms agencies cannot overstep their authority. Following the ruling, WMC Senior Vice President of Government Relations Scott Manley released the following statement: “WMC submitted a brief calling on the Supreme Court to take this case because no agency should have the ability to expand its authority without consent and oversight of the legislature and governor. The REINS Act ensures agencies are operating within their authority and that there are proper checks and balances between our branches of government. WMC applauds the Supreme Court for supporting the rule of law and reining in defiant state agencies.”