Article Summary –
Wisconsin voters rejected two proposed constitutional amendments that would have given state lawmakers nearly full control over federal funds, with nearly 60% voting against them in the August 13 election. Critics argued the amendments were a power grab that would have added unnecessary red tape, while proponents, mainly Republicans, felt the amendments were necessary for more oversight following disagreements with Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ distribution of federal COVID-19 relief funds. The failure of these amendments marks the first such rejection since 2018, following a significant campaign by various groups to inform voters of the measures’ implications.
Wisconsin voters rejected two proposed constitutional amendments that opponents argued would limit the state’s ability to distribute federal emergency aid.
Nearly 60% of voters voted against the amendments in the Aug. 13 election.
The amendments sought to give state lawmakers nearly complete control over federal funds. Republicans proposed the changes after disagreeing with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ distribution of COVID-19 relief funds, calling for more oversight. Critics called it a power grab that would add unnecessary bureaucracy during crises.
“We the voters turned out to show that Wisconsinites care about each other,” League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Executive Director Debra Cronmiller said in a statement.
Gov. Evers said the election results affirm support for his pandemic relief fund distribution.
“Our economic recovery didn’t happen by accident,” he said in a statement. “We made smart, strategic decisions for a better future.”
Most federal funding in Wisconsin is managed through the state’s budget. These amendments would have required the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to approve emergency federal spending for disaster relief.
Evers allocated federal relief funds to help small businesses, child care providers, expand high-speed internet, and raise wages for long-term care providers.
Republican lawmakers have used constitutional amendments to push policy, bypassing bipartisan legislation with Evers. In the past two years, Republicans have placed seven amendments on the ballot, including five this year.
Another amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot will ask voters to confirm that only U.S. citizens can vote. The state constitution already ensures this.
The recently rejected amendments were the first to fail since 2018. The Wisconsin Votes NO coalition, comprising eleven groups, campaigned extensively, spending nearly $1.9 million to inform voters.
“Once explained clearly, Wisconsin voters saw these attempts as another power grab,” Wisconsin Conservation Voters Executive Director Kerry Schumann said in a statement. “This is a victory for Wisconsin and ensures efficient use of federal funding.”
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