Wisconsin Supreme Court chief justice accuses liberals of ‘raw exercise of overreaching power’

The chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, who holds conservative views, accused her liberal colleagues of engaging in a blatant and excessive exercise of power. This accusation came after the liberal justices, who recently gained the majority on the court after 15 years of conservative control, voted to dismiss Randy Koschnick, the director of the state’s court system. Koschnick had served in this position for six years and had a history of conservative affiliation.

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler, who is now part of the three-justice conservative minority, expressed deep disappointment in her colleagues’ actions. She believed that the move undermined her authority as the chief justice and criticized it for being unauthorized, procedurally and legally flawed, and reckless. Despite her concerns, Ziegler chose not to intervene, fearing that other court employees might face similar consequences.

Justice Rebecca Bradley, another conservative member, also condemned the decision, calling it a “political purge” of court employees, which she found unacceptable.

Koschnick himself viewed the dismissal as politically motivated and worried that it could negatively impact the court’s decision-making in the future.

The court announced the appointment of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Skwierawski as the interim director of state courts. However, the justices who voted to fire Koschnick did not provide any comments on their decision.

Chief Justice Ziegler pointed out that when conservatives gained control of the court in 2008, they did not take similar actions to remove the director of state courts at that time, John Voelker.

Despite the disagreement over the firing, Ziegler praised Koschnick’s long-standing service as a judge and his contributions as the director of the state court system, including his efforts in hiring court personnel and maintaining the court’s computer system. She also acknowledged his work in addressing mental health needs, tackling court reporter shortages, and ensuring the court’s operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Koschnick expressed that he would have accepted his dismissal if the justices had waited until the planned administrative meeting the following month. Instead, the abrupt action has created an unstable work environment for court employees, as they are already packing up his belongings while he is away at a judicial conference in New York.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Overreaching power

What is the main issue in this news about the Wisconsin Supreme Court?

The main issue in this news is the accusation made by the conservative Chief Justice, Annette Ziegler, against her liberal colleagues, who recently gained a majority on the court, of engaging in a “raw exercise of overreaching power” by firing the director of the state’s court system.

Who was fired from the position of director of the state’s court system?

Randy Koschnick, who held the position of director of the state’s court system for six years, was fired by the four liberal justices after they gained the majority on the court.

How did the conservative justices react to the firing?

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler, who is now part of the three-justice conservative minority, expressed deep disappointment in her liberal colleagues’ actions. She criticized the move, calling it unauthorized, procedurally and legally flawed, and reckless, but chose not to intervene.

What were some of the criticisms directed towards the firing?

Fellow conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley condemned the move, calling it a “political purge” of court employees, which she found unacceptable. Randy Koschnick also believed the dismissal to be politically motivated and expressed concern about its potential impact on the court’s decision-making.

Who is the interim director of state courts following the firing?

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Skwierawski was appointed as the interim director of state courts after Randy Koschnick’s dismissal.

How did the firing affect the workplace environment?

Randy Koschnick mentioned that the abrupt firing resulted in an unstable workplace, as court workers were already packing up his personal belongings while he was away at a judicial conference in New York.

What were some of the accomplishments of Randy Koschnick during his tenure as director?

Chief Justice Annette Ziegler praised Randy Koschnick for his 18 years as a judge and his efforts as the director of the state court system. She acknowledged his contributions in hiring court personnel, maintaining the statewide computer system for courts, addressing mental health needs, tackling court reporter shortages, and ensuring the court’s operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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