this as it moves forward. Kit Kerschensteiner, thanks very
much. Thank you. You will see two questions on the fall
primary ballot that you may not know how to answer. A yes vote
on them would amend the state constitution "Here& Now".
Reporter Steven Potter explains. >> Hi there. Hello.
>> I'll take that. Usually only about 20% of voters cast a
ballot in primary elections, like the one coming up in
mid-August. Voters in that election will not only choose
candidates, but they'll also see two questions that will require
a yes or no answer. These two questions are about amending the
state constitution, and need to be approved by more than 50% of
voters. Constitutional amendments approved by voters
become state law, but they differ from regular bills passed
by the state legislature because the governor cannot veto them.
The two constitutional ballot specifically address how
federal money given to the state of Wisconsin is spent. More
specifically, it's about who decides how federal money is
spent by the state. The most prominent example of this is the
billions of dollars the federal government gave to Wisconsin
related to Covid 19 relief. Currently it's the governor who
decides how such federal money is spent. But Republicans want
to change that. Like other proposed constitutional
amendments, the language voters will see on the ballot is about
as clear as mud. The first question asks delegation of
appropriation power shall section 35, one of article four
of the Constitution, be created to provide that the legislature
may not delegate its sole power to determine how monies shall be
appropriated? The first question would ensure that the state
legislature has power over appropriating money. The second
question asks allocation of federal monies. Shall section 35
two of article four of the Constitution be created to
prohibit the governor from allocating any federal monies?
The governor accepts on behalf of the state, without the
approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided
by legislative rule. That second and separate question
establishes the process of legislative approval before
federal money can be spent. Given the ambiguity and
complexity of these amendments, legal experts say it's possible
they may be taken up in court for clarification. Republicans
want a yes vote on both questions, and Democrats are
urging voters to vote no on both questions.
Constitution, the way that we need it, it has to be worded
that way. >> Republican Representative Bob
Wittke is one of the lead authors of these two
constitutional amendments. He says that the Republican
controlled state legislature saw the need for this change during
the beginning of the pandemic. >> $5 billion was transferred
where the governor has sole discretion over how to spend it.
We don't believe that that's good governance. We always
consider the legislative branch, whether it be the Assembly or
Senate, to be closest to the people.
Evers and other Democrats in the state legislature oppose the
amendments. >> For Republicans in the
legislature want to take more power for themselves, for the
consequences of this power grab are even worse than that. If
these amendments pass, me and any other future governor will
be left without the tools they need to make during, especially
during times of crisis. >> Wisconsin was able to act
swiftly during the early days of the pandemic because there
weren't political disagreements delaying the allocation of these
federal funds. >> It will cause more problems
with fighting between legislators and governors than
we have right now, and there's plenty of it now.
>> Representative Wittke disagrees and says that the
legislature can work with the governor to get federal funds
out the door fast. He also acknowledges that taking it
directly to voters as a constitutional amendment,
instead of a regular piece of legislation, is to avoid a veto
by Governor Evers. >> I think it just shows that
the hyper partizan nature that it's in, you're looking at
different tools that you can use to try to make what we would
think are reforms that benefit all of Wisconsin residents.