HERE WE GO AGAN!!
Vote NO on BOTH
Constitutional Amendment Ballot Questions
Invitation from the WI League of Women Voters
REGISTER FOR ‘VOTE NO’ WEBINAR - July 10, 7 pm
A great set of speakers will break down the questions.
THE 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?”
CURRENTLY . . .
Chapter 16, Section 54 of the Wisconsin Statutes authorizes the governor to accept and allocate federal funds.
The section reads: “Whenever the United States government shall make available to this state funds for the education, the promotion of health, the relief of indigency, the promotion of agriculture or for any other purpose other than the administration of the tribal or any individual funds of Wisconsin Indians, the governor on behalf of the state is authorized to accept the funds so made available. In exercising the authority herein conferred, the governor may stipulate as a condition of the acceptance of the act of congress by this state such conditions as in the governor's discretion may be necessary to safeguard the interests of this state.”
WHAT DOES A ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ VOTE MEAN . . .
➕A "yes" vote supports amending the state constitution to require legislative approval from both the senate and assembly before the governor can expend federal money appropriated to the state.
➕A "no" vote opposes this amendment, thereby allowing the governor to accept and allocate federal funds without seeking an approval vote from the state legislature.
Information below provided by Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition
Reasons to Vote NO on Question 1 & Question 2
Wisconsinites deserve a well-resourced government that is able to fund necessary programs and infrastructure like our roads in a timely manner (especially in emergencies). These changes to our state constitution would add red tape and slow the government’s ability to respond to emergencies when we need help the most – harming our communities and Wisconsin families. .
Our tax dollars go toward federal funds that support our schools, infrastructure, parks, health care, renters, small businesses, public benefits and so much more. They provide relief to Wisconsinites in urgent times of crises such as natural or economic disasters and public health emergencies. When Wisconsin gets federal funds, it’s our money coming back to us. Governor Evers allocated $6 billion to unemployment benefits, local governments, education, health services, children and families and housing. Take a look at how our federal funds have been used in Wisconsin
Our current legislators were elected under rigged, non representative voting maps which means they are not responsive to Wisconsin voters. In times of need Wisconsinites cannot afford to have their relief held up in legislative gridlock. During the pandemic, Wisconsin had the least active full-time legislature in the nation.
It is easier for Wisconsin voters to hold the governor accountable for how federal funds are spent than the entire legislature. The governor is accountable to the whole state. The governor was elected in a fair, statewide election and entrusted to deal with federal money.
These changes are not fixing a problem. Our laws already give legislators a say in how tax dollars are spent through the state budget-making process. This change does not belong in our state constitution.
Public Statement
Monday, June 24, 2024
As the below undersigned organizations and groups who work together to strengthen our democracy and serve the people of Wisconsin, we urge voters to vote no this August on the two constitutional amendments.
Not only are these two statewide ballot questions intentionally confusing, but they will create real harm. The constitutional amendments would impact the process for distributing federal money by adding unnecessary red tape and slowing funds to those in urgent need.
No matter our race, background or zip code, when disasters like tornadoes hit or our communities are in need, Wisconsinites take care of each other. We expect the same from our government. When there is a crisis, we don’t have time to wait for the slow-moving legislature to get funds to our fellow Wisconsinites.
It's no secret that Wisconsin’s legislature spends more time playing partisan games than acting on the issues Wisconsinites care about the most. In 2020, the Wisconsin State Legislature was one of the least active in the country.
This is a trend in the legislature, which:
continues to refuse money that could be used to provide healthcare to almost 90,000 Wisconsinites,
blocked $125 million dollars that could be used to help Wisconsinites access safe and clean drinking water amidst the PFAS contamination crisis
cost Wisconsinites $36 million dollars that would combat the opioid epidemic.
Our governor is accountable to the whole state through a fair, statewide election. When our tax dollars are not distributed to meet our needs or don’t align with our values, it’s far easier to hold the governor accountable at the ballot box than the entire legislature.
Our laws already give legislators a say in how tax dollars are spent through the collaborative state budget-making process. These amendments would give the legislature excessive power to decide how to distribute federal funds. We cannot allow our legislators to siphon even more power for themselves and then sit on our money while they gavel-in and gavel-out of session when we need them most.
Like we saw this April, these constitutional amendment questions on the ballot are broad-sweeping and unclear – this is no accident! Let’s say no to purposefully confusing ballot questions. Let’s say no to more red tape.
This August, we can come together for our communities and vote down these harmful constitutional amendments. Vote NO this August on BOTH constitutional amendments.
Signed organizations,
Chippewa Valley Votes
EXPO of Wisconsin
GROWW
Law Forward
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin
Oregon Area Progressives
Souls to the Polls Wisconsin
Urban League of Greater Madison
WAVE Educational Fund
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
Working Families Power
Power To The Polls WI
