On Tuesday, August 13, Wisconsin will hold its partisan primary election. On the ballot are two statewide referendum questions that seek to change our Wisconsin state constitution, specifically how Governor Evers can spend federal funds.
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO recommends union members Vote NO on both statewide referendum questions.
Question 1 and Question 2 on the August 13 ballot work together to alter our constitution to give the state legislature more control in how Governor Evers allocates federal funds. The questions read as follows:
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?"
If passed, the August 13 constitutional amendments would make it harder for Wisconsin to efficiently and effectively use federal funding in times of emergency and beyond. In Wisconsin, we expect and need our government to be able to move quickly to get aid into Wisconsin communities, especially in times of natural disaster or emergency.
We know the vital importance of getting needed resources into local communities quickly and efficiently. These needless constitutional amendments would make that more difficult. We urge you to Vote NO on both August 13 statewide constitutional amendment questions.