If a majority of Wisconsin voters approve the August Ballot Questions, the Constitution of Wisconsin will be amended.

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?

Why we recommend voting no: Wisconsin Statutes delegate to the governor the authority to accept and allocate federal moneys without the participation of the legislature, and to distribute money approved in the ballot. The amendments would hamper the ability to respond to emergency needs in a timely fashion. Only the governor is in a position to do that.

In addition, the legislature, which only meets half the year, has been sitting on budget-approved funds for child care relief, PFAs relief, and rural hospital relief, but has not released the funds. These amendments would enable more inaction and gridlock.

This amendment would provide the opposite of the Wisconsin Constitution’s original intention, slowing down responses to threats to public health, education, and the environment. It is opposed by Wisconsin Public Health Association, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Association of Local Health Associations and Boards, and the League of Women Voters.

WHY ARE SUCH IMPORTANT CHANGES ON A

LOW-TURNOUT ELECTION BALLOT?

Because the legislature wants to sneak this by while people are traveling and likely to ignore a supposedly low-stakes primary election.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – VOTE NO  

WI Conservation Voters www.wivotesno.org  

Grassroots North Shore