MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers are asking their Republican counterparts to stop paying outside attorneys representing the Legislature after a judge blocked the GOP’s lame-duck laws. Republican lawmakers passed laws limiting Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s powers. The laws allow lawmakers to intervene in lawsuits and hire their own attorneys rather than use Kaul’s Justice Department lawyers. Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess blocked the laws Thursday, ruling the Legislature passed them during an illegal session. Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz and Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling sent letters to GOP leaders Thursday afternoon asking them stop paying outside attorneys hired under the lame-duck laws. Republicans hired Misha Tsyetlin at $500 an hour to defend the lame-duck laws in two lawsuits. They’re also planning to hire outside counsel to defend Wisconsin’s abortion restrictions in a federal case.
