How the state spends your money will be up for your vote as part of the primary coming up in August.

Two referendum questions will be featured on the ballot and sent to voters before the primary election day on August 13. The first question will prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money, while the second query would require legislative approval before the governor can spend federal funds. Both questions received unanimous support from Legislative Republicans and dissent from Legislative Democrats.

The issues were put into the limelight during the pandemic when Governor Tony Evers determined how the majority of the COVID-19 aid was spent, often at the disagreement of Republicans in the Legislature. According to Wisconsin Watch, the governor currently has the authority to, in certain instances, accept federal funds without Legislative approval.

Supporters of the referendum questions say the process is necessary to offer checks and balances on how the money is spent, while detractors call it “a power grab” and argue that it will slow down the process when funding is needed during emergencies. After being approved by the Wisconsin Legislature in two consecutive sessions, a “yes” vote in next month’s primary will change the state constitution to allow the Legislature more of a say on how those funds are spent.

These are the third and fourth constitutional amendment referendum questions to be put forward to voters this year. In April, voters voted to prohibit non-governmental funds from being used for election activities and allow only election officials designated by law to administer elections. In November, voters will vote to change the constitution again to ensure that only U.S. citizens 18 or older can vote in federal, state, local, and school board elections. You can find comments from supporters and opponents on the two referendum questions below. 

REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

Question 1: “Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?"

Question 2: “Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”

SUPPORT FOR REFERENDUM QUESTIONS FROM BALLOTPEDIA.ORG

State Rep. Robert Wittke (R-62): "Billions of federal dollars pour into our state in the last couple of years. These Supplemental Federal funds were important to our state’s economic wellbeing, but only Governor Evers made the determination for allocation of all that money without legislative consideration. AJR 6 would amend the Wisconsin Constitution by prohibiting the governor from allocating federal moneys without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or by legislative rule, and it also provides that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated."

OPPOSITION FOR REFERENDUM QUESTIONS FROM BALLOTPEDIA.ORG

Jennifer Giegerich, government affairs director of Wisconsin Conservation Voters: "[The measure] would amend the Wisconsin Constitution to add another level of government process during times when we are most vulnerable and depend on efficiency and a smooth process to receive much needed support. Our current system of the governor and legislature working together to fashion a timely state budget, with known deadlines and a long deliberative process, is not effective when dealing with emergencies." 

Nick Ramos, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: "There are lawmakers in the state legislature who want to pass another set of anti-democratic amendments in August that will allow lawmakers to stonewall the Governor by forcing the Governor to receive legislative approval (both the senate and the assembly) before the Governor can spend federal dollars that are appropriated to Wisconsin. We do not need red tape when emergencies and natural disasters happen in Wisconsin."