(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Supreme Court showed its progressive majority but did not do it with reckless abandon, according to a new session review from the Institute for Reforming Government.

The court overturned the state’s 1849 abortion ban, allowed for Gov. Tony Evers’ 400-year school funding partial veto and blocked much of the administrative review power that the Wisconsin Legislature previously held.

But the court also turned back an attempt to overturn the state’s congressional maps, blocked Planned Parenthood from attempting to establish a right to abortion and another Evers attempt at expanded veto power.

“The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 2024-2025 term showed that the new majority is the most progressive majority the court has seen since 2008,” IRG General Counsel Jake Curtis said. “But unlike the politically reckless 2008 progressive majority, the current majority is delivering wins in a more controlled manner. Time will tell if this majority’s political calculations will help them retain power while issuing the most progressive decisions Wisconsin has seen in well over a decade.”

IRG said that it was clear the abortion ruling received the most attention but the ruling about administrative rules is also highly impactful as polling has showed the public would prefer to have elected officials make important decisions instead of those who are unelected and part of state bureaucracy.

“In terms of delegating authority to state agencies, they are going to have to be a little more careful,” Curtis said.

He noted that a ruling for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which allows for broad DNR authority to enforce contamination rules, could place a burden on the regulated community without requiring the DNR to prove and show what chemicals it believes are involved.