State Supreme Court Temporarily Shuts Down GAB Rule

It is a roller coaster ride. The State Supreme Court weighed in on free speech issues late last week, issuing a temporary injunction of the GAB rule that would limit the speech of Wisconsin Right to Life and other groups. The vote was 4-3, with Justices Prosser, Roggensack, Ziegler and Gableman voting to enjoin the rule. Now, briefs must be filed later this week before the court makes a final decision.

Briefs are due later this month in the free speech suit filed by Wisconsin Right to Life in federal court.   If the State Supreme Court permanently enjoins the GAB rule, there are other provisions in state law that WRTL is challenging in federal court which will go forward.

In the meantime, leaders in the U.S. Senate say they will try to bring up the federal DISCLOSE Act again which would limit speech about federal candidates.     This is the act that gives special privileges to the unions and the NRA but cuts out groups like WRTL.  The last time the bill was brought up, there were not enough votes to break a filibuster.   Senator Reid and company think they can garner the votes of Republican Senators Brown, Snowe and Collins.   Senator Mitch McConnell says the Republicans will hold firm and block a vote on DISCLOSE.  Stay tuned.

Barbara Lyons