Free Republic

Madison -- The Court of Appeals declined to take up a Dane County case Wednesday that blocked the state's new law requiring people to show photo ID at the polls. The latest order is a further setback for those who support the voter ID law, and is another sign the law almost surely will remain halted for the May 8 primaries and June 5 recall elections. Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan temporarily enjoined the voter ID law last month, saying the Milwaukee branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and immigrant rights group Voces de...

Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan, who granted a temporary injunction against Wisconsin's new voter identification law, signed a petition urging the recall of Gov. Scott Walker. *** His clerk called back to say Flanagan would only answer questions submitted in writing at the courthouse. State Republican Party spokesman Ben Sparks said his party will be filing a complaint with the state Judicial Commission asking it to investigate why Flanagan did not recuse himself. "The very fact that Dane County Judge David Flanagan signed a petition to recall Governor Walker calls today's court proceedings regarding Wisconsin's voter ID law into...

Judge: Legislature, Cities Cannot Fight Gay Rights Lawsuit A judge has decided that the Legislature and several local governments cannot join the fight against a lawsuit seeking taxpayer funded benefits for partners of gay public employees. Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan ruled that state law gives the Department of Justice the authority to defend the state's interests. The lawsuit was filed by six lesbian state employees and the American Civil Liberties Union in April. It claims the state's refusal to provide health insurance to their partners violates the equal protection clause of the Wisconsin constitution. Republican State Representative Mark...