(The Center Square) – Voters overwhelmingly rejected two proposed constitutional amendments on the Wisconsin ballot Tuesday, keeping the state’s status quo on how the governor can spend and distribute certain federal money.
The two referendums would have required the governor to obtain the state legislature’s approval on those spending decisions. The Associated Press called the failures at 9:15 p.m. central time with amendment one failing 57.8% to 42.2%. Amendment two failed 57.9% to 42.1%.
“My administration and I made smart, strategic decisions that not only responded to immediate needs and crises but looked toward the future to build a better, safer, and stronger economy and state. We worked quickly to respond to a global crisis expeditiously, effectively, and efficiently even as other branches of government, at best, consistently failed to meet that moment and, at worst, actively sought to make our work more difficult,” Gov. Tont Evers said in response to the results. “This was a referendum on our administration’s work and the future for Wisconsin we’ve been working hard to build together, and the answer is reflected in the people’s vote tonight.”
Supporters of the amendments, mostly Republicans, claimed the amendments would strengthen separation of powers and promote fiscal responsibility by allowing the legislature a voice in deciding how the money is spent in the state.
The opposition, mostly Democrats, claimed the amendments would instead undermine checks and balances by giving too much power to the legislature and weakening the governor’s ability to address emergencies.
“It would change permanently the relationship between the governor and the legislature,” Gov. Tony Evers said in July. “If these amendments pass, me and any other governor would be left without the tools they need, especially during times of crisis.”
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty had supported the amendments, arguing the changes would “prevent the executive branch from unilaterally spending federal dollars towards their preferred projects and provide a necessary check on their power from the state legislature.”