By: Sally A. Piefer
Last week we reported that Governor Evers planned to release the names of more than 1,000 businesses who have had 2 or more employees test positive for COVID-19. The Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) reported that it had been regularly urging the Governor to keep this information confidential. WMC claimed that a letter was sent to the Governor in July 2020 describing the legal implications of releasing the names of businesses who had COVID-positive cases among its employee ranks. WMC says that it reached out again to the Governor’s office, but received no response before it alerted its membership of the impending information release. On October 1, the WMC, along with two local chambers of commerce, filed suit and obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the release of this information.
This morning a court hearing was conducted by Zoom. Based on the arguments of counsel, the Court decided to extend the TRO until the parties have had an opportunity to fully brief the issues and for the Court to make an informed decision. The next hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The parties, along with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who intervened in the case, will be filing a variety of briefs between October 9th and November 6th.
We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sally Piefer or your normal contact at Lindner & Marsack.