Wisconsin GOP seeks to curb Dem governor’s veto power
Republicans in Wisconsin State Assembly Push for Constitutional Amendment to Limit Governor’s Veto Powers
Republicans in the Wisconsin State Assembly have taken a bold step by approving a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution. This amendment aims to restrict Governor Tony Evers’s veto powers, specifically by preventing him from raising taxes or fees independently.
The proposal, known as Assembly Joint Resolution 112, seeks to curtail Evers’s ability, as well as that of future Wisconsin governors, to exercise their partial veto power over appropriation bills and to create or increase taxes or fees.
Assembly Joint Resolution 112, introduced by Republican state Rep. Amanda Nedweski, is designed to restore a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Nedweski emphasized that the legislation was carefully crafted to address specific situations that the public would find most objectionable.
Putting an End to Political Trickery
One incident that sparked the need for this amendment was when Governor Evers used his partial veto powers to extend school funding through the year 2425, a staggering 400 years beyond the original budget timeline. This move, reported by Wisconsin Public Radio, raised concerns about the potential abuse of veto powers.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Wisconsin has witnessed such creative use of veto powers. Decades ago, then-Republican Governor Tommy Thompson employed a similar tactic, known as the “Vanna White veto,” by deleting specific letters in words to create new words and alter the intent of legislation.
Nedweski stressed that the people of Wisconsin should not be subjected to political trickery that does not align with their will as represented by their elected legislators.
Next Steps and the Need for Senate Approval
Although the proposal passed in the State Assembly with a party-line vote of 64-34, it still needs to go through the Senate before it can be presented to voters. The Republican-controlled legislature has experienced a significant number of vetoes for approved legislation, with Governor Evers rejecting 32% of bills in the current session. This is in stark contrast to the average veto rate of 3.7% among other governors, as reported by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
It remains to be seen how this proposed amendment will fare in the Senate and whether it will ultimately be approved by the voters. However, it is undoubtedly a significant development in the ongoing power struggle between the executive and legislative branches in Wisconsin.
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What is the current authority of the Governor in Wisconsin to utilize partial veto power on appropriations bills, and how has Governor Evers used this power?
The executive and legislative branches of government in Wisconsin. The proposal comes after Governor Evers, a Democrat, has used his partial veto power to make significant changes to appropriations bills passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Under the current Wisconsin Constitution, the Governor has the authority to approve or veto specific provisions of an appropriation bill without rejecting the entire bill. This partial veto power allows the Governor to create new laws that were not contemplated by the Legislature, effectively granting him the ability to legislate from the executive branch.
This power has been heavily utilized by Governor Evers, who has made substantial alterations to appropriations bills to advance his policy agenda. By using his partial veto power, Evers has been able to increase spending on certain initiatives and redirect funds to his favored programs without legislative approval.
Republicans argue that this expansive use of the veto power undermines the will of the Legislature and violates the original intent of the Wisconsin Constitution. They assert that the Governor’s role is to faithfully execute the laws passed by the Legislature, not to create new laws or amend existing ones.
Assembly Joint Resolution 112 proposes a constitutional amendment that limits the Governor’s partial veto power, specifically prohibiting the Governor from creating or increasing taxes or fees through his veto authority. This would ensure that any tax or fee changes are deliberated and approved by the Legislature through the normal legislative process.
While critics argue that this proposed amendment would diminish the power of the Governor and limit his ability to act independently, Republicans assert that it is necessary to restore a balance of power and prevent executive overreach. They argue that the intent of the Wisconsin Constitution is to divide powers between the branches of government, and the current use of the partial veto power exceeds its original purpose.
In order for the proposed constitutional amendment to become a reality, it must be approved in two consecutive legislative sessions and then be approved by Wisconsin voters through a referendum. This means the amendment would not take effect until at least 2023.
The passage of Assembly Joint Resolution 112 in the Wisconsin State Assembly marks a significant step in the ongoing debate over the balance of power in the state. If ultimately approved by the Legislature and voters, this constitutional amendment would limit the Governor’s veto powers and restore a more balanced relationship between the executive and legislative branches.
It remains to be seen how this proposal will progress in the coming months and what impact it will have on future budget deliberations and policy-making in Wisconsin. Nonetheless, it serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts of Republicans in the state to ensure a fair and effective system of governance that upholds the principles of separation of powers and democratic accountability.
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