Leage of Women Voters WI – Constitutional Corner – Vote No

 

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin’s Constitutional Corner series highlights issues related to our state constitution. Voters will have two constitutional amendment questions on the August 13 ballot. Let’s explore question 1 and why LWVWI is urging voters to vote no.

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?”

This constitutional amendment wants to give the legislature power over the distribution of federal funds. What would’ve happened in 2020 if the the legislature had power over these funds?

Gov. Evers appropriated $6 billion in federal funds without legislative delays and denials during this crisis. COVID-19 relief demonstrates the importance of keeping the sole power over federal funds within the executive branch – no matter who is in office.

He promptly appropriated federal funds to over 110,000 businesses, 20,000 farms and 1,500 organizations, spread across the state.  Emergency relief was delivered to over 2,000 restaurants and bars.  Nearly $80 million was provided through the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative!

With the help of $1.5 billion in federal funds, Wisconsin schools could reopen safely and effectively. Over $303M was spent in providing emergency financial relief to students in Wisconsin. Monthly child tax cuts went to many Wisconsin families and 7,000 childcare programs received assistance to open again. Millions and millions of dollars also went toward homeowner and rental assistance. And premiums for the average Wisconsin family of four receiving health care were cut. Learn more.

How much of this federal relief would the legislature have delayed or stopped for partisan reasons? We know that Wisconsin had one of the least active full-time legislatures in 2020. These measures would deprive our communities of needed resources while our legislators play partisan games such as gaveling in and out of session thus failing to govern at all.

VOTE NO on both constitutional amendment questions!