ROUND UP: Wisconsinites Call for a NO Vote on the August 13th Amendments

MADISON, Wis. — With the GOP pushing two misleading amendment questions on the August 13th primary ballot, Wisconsinites are sharing how these amendments will jeopardize funding for critical programs. 

See what they’re saying below: 

Wisconsin State Journal: “Voters should keep the governor in charge of handling emergency federal relief, as has been the case for nearly a century. Our communities can’t afford to let partisan bickering stall help in the next crisis.”

Christina Thor, Green Bay: “Thanks to quick action from Gov. Tony Evers — and federal funds delivered by President Biden — Wisconsin’s Child Care Counts program has supported child care providers left reeling by the pandemic. But given the chance to allocate permanent state funding for this critical program, Republicans in Madison turned their backs — and instead pushed these risky amendments aimed at grabbing more power for themselves.”

Myra Enloe, Dodgeville: “No governor — Democrat or Republican — would ever sign legislation making this the law in Wisconsin. That’s why the Legislature passed these questions as joint resolutions, which they were only able to do because of the gerrymandered voting maps. Then they wrote them in a way that confuses people and put them on the ballot in a primary election when few people vote.”

Karen Wilson, Fish Creek: “The two questions on the ballot are confusing. What do they mean for the people of Wisconsin? They appear to mean that the Governor cannot accept or allocate federal funds in the case of a disaster, or for infrastructure projects, without the [Legislature’s] approval. More gridlock for Wisconsin?”

Jan Koch, Shawano: “During the pandemic, Gov. Tony Evers quickly allocated funds for unemployment benefits, local governments, education, health services, children and families, housing and more. The current Wisconsin Legislature does not have a good track record when it comes to complying with the governor’s requests for a special session. The Republican leadership refused the governor’s call for a special session to take action during the heights of the COVID-19 crisis. Referendums to change our state constitution are permanent. We don’t know what crises lie ahead. We can’t accept this power play by the Republicans in the current legislature where they would hold all the purse strings.”

Celeste Koeber, Town of Hudson: “We Wisconsinites quickly lend a hand to our neighbors in our communities when there’s an emergency. We expect our government to do the same with our tax dollars when our communities need help in an emergency. But experience shows us we can’t rely on our legislature to quickly meet and vote to pass any necessary action. Don’t stop our governor from doing what needs to be done to help our communities when it needs to be done. Vote “NO” on both constitutional amendments on your Aug. 13 ballot.”

Jim Camery, River Falls: “Here are five good reasons to vote “NO”: 1) These changes would slow our Wisconsin government’s response to emergencies when we need help the most. 2) It’s our federal tax money coming back to us when Wisconsin gets federal funds. 3) In times of need, Wisconsinites cannot afford to have their relief held up in legislative gridlock. 4) Our governor is held accountable for how federal funds are spent by Wisconsin voters in our whole state. 5) Our laws already give our legislators a big say in how tax dollars are spent through the state budget-making process.”

Barbara Voyce, Lone Rock: “Making the state budget is a collaborative process. These amendments are attempts to siphon off even more power to themselves; it is not to make our state stronger or healthier.”

Tim White, Mount Horeb: “Both questions, if passed, would alter the balance of power and have the potential to make Wisconsin citizens less safe.”

Nancy Stencil, Rib Mountain: “And this same legislature wants us to change Wisconsin’s Constitution to permanently prohibit the governor from accepting and allocating federal funds without their permission? Why on earth would we vote for that?”