Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) took legal action against leading state lawmakers of three committees under Republican control for blocking pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees.

“Republican legislators are unconstitutionally obstructing basic functions of government—actions that have not only aimed to prevent state government from efficiently and effectively serving the people of our state but are now actively harming tens of thousands of Wisconsinites every day across our state,” Evers said in a press release.

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Evers argues that the committees on the Republican-led legislature have unconstitutionally wielded a de facto veto power to impede various executive branch functions. These bans include authorized pay raises for about 35,000 University of Wisconsin employees and blocking conservation projects authorized by the Department of Natural Resources.

Evers says the actions violate the separation of powers under the state constitution because the committee is looking to change existing state law without sending bills through the legislature and to the governor for approval.

A Republican-led committee approved 6% pay raises over the next two years for most state employees but withheld pay raises for UW employees unless diversity, equity, and inclusion positions are removed, an issue that’s long been in contention with state Republicans and Democrats.

“These vetoes evade the constitutional lawmaking procedures of bicameralism — passage of a bill through both houses — and presentment to the Governor for signature or veto,” the petition reads.

The Democratic governor filed the lawsuit with the liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court and is asking the state’s highest court to bypass the lower courts.

The lawsuit lists legislature joint committees: Joint Committee on Employment Relations, co-led by Republican state Speaker Robin Vos and state Sen. Chris Kapenga, Joint Committee on Finance, co-led by state Rep. Mark Born and state Sen. Howard Marklein, and the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, co-led by state Sen. Steve Nass and state Rep. Adam Neylon.

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“The Governor is working to diminish the voice of Wisconsinites by limiting the authority of the legislature and unduly strengthening his own administration," state Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said in a statement. "The Senate will continue to defend the constitutionally prescribed duties of the state legislature against the Governor's frivolous attacks.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to all six lawmakers for comment. Kapenga’s team said he was unavailable for comment.