{"id":2315518,"date":"2024-07-29T14:29:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-republican-backed-referendum-looks-to-take-spending-powers-from-governor-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T14:39:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:39:29","slug":"wisconsin-republican-backed-referendum-looks-to-take-spending-powers-from-governor-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-republican-backed-referendum-looks-to-take-spending-powers-from-governor-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Republican-backed referendum looks to take spending powers from governor &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwisconsin-republican-backed-referendum-looks-to-take-spending-powers-from-governor-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2315518&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers are \u2064promoting two\u2062 referendums aimed at reducing the spending authority of the \u200cgovernor and transferring this power to\u2063 the state legislature. These changes would require future governors, including the\u200b current governor, Tony\u200d Evers, to \u200dseek\u200b legislative approval \u2064for the use of\u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/calif-officials-say-10-of-states-unemployment-payments-linked-to-fraud\/\" title=\"Calif. officials say 10% of state\u2019s unemployment payments linked to fraud\">federal funds<\/a> without specific spending conditions attached. This initiative arises after Wisconsin received\u2062 significant COVID-19 relief funds, which \u200bEvers allocated to various programs including small business \u200csupport and healthcare provisions.<\/p>\n<p>The first referendum\u200b seeks \u2064to amend the state constitution to prevent the legislature from\u2062 delegating its appropriation powers, while\u2062 the \u2062second would mandate gubernatorial approval from lawmakers before any\u200c expansion of federal funds. Republican state representatives argue\u2064 that these referendums promote better governance by ensuring that both branches of government have a role in financial decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Support for the amendments\u200c is unanimous among Republicans, as \u200cthey believe it will allow more flexible rules regarding federal money management \u2063based on the current governor&#8217;s tenure and the intent of \u200bthe funds. \u2064Conversely, Democratic leaders\u200b in Wisconsin, including party chairman Ben Wilker, criticize the proposals as a power grab that could lead to\u200c legislative gridlock. \u2062Governor \u2063Evers has\u2064 referred \u2063to these amendments as detrimental to the\u2064 state&#8217;s governance structure.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Wisconsin Republican-backed referendum looks to take spending powers from governor<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1714744\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Wisconsin<\/a> Republican lawmakers are backing two referendums that would take away the spending powers of the governor and place them in the state legislature.<\/p>\n<p>Voters will decide on related constitutional amendments that would change how Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tony-evers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Tony Evers<\/a> (D-WI) and all future governors of the state are allowed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-jen-psaki-claims-florida-not-spending-covid-relief-properly-on-schools\/\" title=\"Fact Check: Jen Psaki Claims &#039;Florida&#039; Not Spending COVID Relief Properly on Schools\">spend federal money<\/a> the state receives without specific spending requirements. The referendums come after Wisconsin received billions in federal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>COVID-19<\/a> relief funds, which Evers chose to spend on many small business initiatives, local government recovery grants, emergency health supplies, and paying healthcare providers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t matter who&rsquo;s in the executive branch and who runs the legislature side, we believe it&rsquo;s just good governance that both branches of government have a say in this,&rdquo; Republican state Rep. Robert Wittke told the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/story\/news\/politics\/elections\/2024\/07\/24\/voters-will-see-two-referendum-questions-on-their-ballots-asking-to-give-the-legislature-more-power\/74276527007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Voting &ldquo;yes&rdquo; on the first question would add an amendment to the state&rsquo;s constitution that would prohibit the state legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money. A vote of &ldquo;yes&rdquo; on the second question would add an amendment to the state constitution that would require the governor to get approval from the legislature before expanding federal funds that were appropriated to the state.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans in the state are in unanimous support of the amendments. If approved, the state legislature could pass rules about how federal money is governed. This would give lawmakers room to change the rules based on who is serving as governor or what the federal money was meant for, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/wisconsin-constitutional-amendment-governor-power-def171c6fdeb1f6be63c09202dd8eed6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>Associated Press<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If approved, the legislature could pass rules governing how federal money is handled. That would give them the ability to change the rules based on who is serving as governor or the purpose of the federal money.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic organizers in the Badger State are working against the amendments. At a press conference in Madison on Monday, Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party Ben Wilker called the amendments &ldquo;nothing more than a power grab&rdquo; that would have &ldquo;real consequences&rdquo; and create &ldquo;gridlock in Madison.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Evers said Republicans hope the amendments will &ldquo;go unnoticed&rdquo; due to them being on the primary ballot, when fewer voters typically cast a ballot. He added the amendments are &ldquo;written the way it is to confuse people.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our governor is accountable to the whole state through a fair, statewide election.&nbsp;When our tax dollars are not distributed to meet our needs or don&rsquo;t align with our values, it&rsquo;s far easier to hold the governor accountable at the ballot box than the entire legislature,&rdquo; a <a href=\"https:\/\/my.lwv.org\/wisconsin\/article\/wisconsin-organizations-urge-voters-vote-no-august-constitutional-amendments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>joint statement<\/a> from Common Cause Wisconsin, Souls to the Polls Wisconsin, Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, and other groups stated.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/world-cup-teams-back-down-on-rainbow-armbands-after-fifa-threats\/\" title=\"World Cup Teams Back Down On Rainbow Armbands After FIFA Threats\">joint statement continued<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Wisconsin&rsquo;s primary, where these amendments will be voted upon, is on Aug. 13.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1714744\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1714744\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wisconsin Republican legislators are supporting two referendums aimed at transferring the governor&#8217;s spending authority to the state legislature. These referendums will allow voters to consider constitutional amendments that would alter how Governor Tony Evers (D-WI) and future governors can allocate federal funds received by the state without specific spending guidelines. This initiative follows Wisconsin&#8217;s receipt of billions in federal COVID-19 relief, which Evers allocated towards various small business programs, local government recovery grants, emergency health supplies, and healthcare provider payments. Republican state Rep. Robert Wittke stated that it is essential for both branches of government to have a role in financial decisions, regardless of who holds executive or legislative power.<\/p>\n<p>Voting &#8220;yes&#8221; on the first referendum would amend the constitution to prevent the legislature from delegating its appropriation powers. A &#8220;yes&#8221; vote on the second question would require gubernatorial approval from the legislature before any expansion of federally appropriated funds can occur. The proposed amendments have unanimous support among Republicans in Wisconsin; if passed, they would enable lawmakers to establish rules regarding federal fund management based on who is governor or what those funds are intended for.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic groups in Wisconsin are opposing these amendments. At a press conference in Madison, Ben Wilker, Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, criticized them as a &#8220;power grab&#8221; with potential negative impacts that could lead to legislative gridlock. Governor Evers expressed concern that Republicans aim for these amendments to go unnoticed during primary voting when turnout is typically lower and suggested they are designed to confuse voters.<\/p>\n<p>A joint statement from several advocacy organizations emphasized that while current laws already provide legislators input into tax dollar allocation through collaborative budgeting processes, these amendments would grant excessive control over federal fund distribution to lawmakers instead of allowing accountability through statewide elections for governors.<\/p>\n<p>The primary election where these amendments will be voted on is scheduled for August 13th<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2315519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wisconsin-capitol-1024x596.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4173,20766,3911,4124],"class_list":["post-2315518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-governor","tag-referendum","tag-republican","tag-wisconsin"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/wisconsin-capitol-1024x596.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2315518"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315518\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2315518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2315518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2315518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}