Opinion ID: 1713718
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Concentration of Power

Text: ¶ 64. In my view, the majority opinion creates what amounts to a statute for the interstate transfer of guardianships and protective placements. While some type of an interstate compact may be helpful, that is a task that the constitution set out for the legislature. Wis. Const. art. IV, § 1. The legislature has experience in devising interstate compacts. See Wis. Stat. § 938.991 (interstate compact on juveniles). When it does so, it has the ability to consider and address the financial impact of the agreements Wisconsin makes with other states. § 938.991(10). The majority opinion has not evaluated the financial impact of a transfer of Jane to Wisconsin. [3] ¶ 65. Additionally, concentration of power in one branch of government in a tripartite system of government is suspect because the system was created to prevent exactly that. See State v. Holmes, 106 Wis. 2d 31, 42, 315 N.W.2d 703 (1982). As we have repeatedly explained, the Wisconsin Constitution envisions a separation of the legislative and judicial powers. Id. ¶ 66. Notwithstanding our prior statements, this is the third time this term that the court has concentrated legislative and judicial power in itself. In March, as a result of a rulemaking petition, the court repealed the frivolous action statute, Wis. Stat. § 814.025, a substantive rule enacted by the legislature, which was not unconstitutional. Supreme Court Order No. 03-06, 2005 WI 38, ___ Wis. 2d ___. And in State v. Jerrell C.J., 2005 WI 105, 283 Wis. 2d 145, 699 N.W.2d 110, we established parameters for police practices. ¶ 67. Here, once again, a majority of the court says it has the requisite constitutional power to establish what appears to me to be very like a statute. I dissent because I see this process that this court is becoming increasingly enchanted with as dangerous precedent. Even though the goal of the majority opinion may be a worthwhile goal, in my view, it is achieved at the expense of the balance of power set out in the Wisconsin Constitution. Unconstitutional actions taken to achieve worthwhile goals are still unconstitutional actions. Therefore, I cannot join the majority opinion. Instead, I interpret the relevant statutes and ascertain the constitutionality of Wis. Stat. § 55.06(3)(c).