Second judge blocks parts of lame duck laws limiting governor and AG’s powers

 MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A second Dane County judge has blocked a portion of Republican-backed laws limiting Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul's powers.

Judge Frank Remington on Tuesday blocked language that requires Kaul to get legislative approval before settling cases. His order stems from a lawsuit by unions that argued the laws steal power from the executive branch.

Remington let stand portions of the laws that give the Legislature the right to intervene in cases.

Republicans passed the measures in a December lame-duck session after Evers and Kaul — both Democrats — defeated Republican incumbents.

The union lawsuit is one of four. Last week Dane County Judge Richard Niess blocked all the laws in a lawsuit by liberal-leaning groups alleging the December session was illegal.

Republicans have asked a state appeals court to stay Niess' ruling.