Wisconsin Republicans are asking voters to take away the governor’s power to unilaterally spend federal money, the Associated Press reports, in reaction to the billions of dollars that flowed into the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s what would happen under a pair of related constitutional amendments up for voter approval in the Aug. 13 primary election. The changes would apply to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and all future governors, covering any federal money that comes to the state without specific spending requirements, often in response to disasters or other emergencies.
Democrats and other opponents are mobilizing against the amendments, calling them a legislative power grab that would hamstring governors’ ability to quickly respond to a future natural disaster, economic crisis, or health emergency. Republicans and other backers, however, say it’s a necessary check on the governor’s current power, which they say is too broad.
The two questions, which were proposed as a single amendment and then separated on the ballot, passed the GOP-controlled Legislature twice as required by law. Voter approval is needed before they would be added to the state constitution. The governor has no veto power over constitutional amendments.
Early, in-person absentee voting for the Aug. 13 election begins Tuesday across the state and goes through Aug. 11. Locations and times for early voting vary.
