MADISON – Wisconsin’s governor would no longer have authority to spend federal funds that flow into the state under a proposed constitutional amendment the state Senate approved on Tuesday.
State lawmakers would make such spending decisions instead under the proposal that cannot be vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers, who has clashed for nearly two years with Republicans who control the state Legislature over how he has allocated billions in federal pandemic aid.
Subscribe to our On Wisconsin Politics newsletter for the week’s political news explained.
Bill author Sen. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, said the proposal is not intended to “slap down” Evers’ authority.
“It’s a slap down to the Legislature,” Kooyenga said. “Legislators in the Legislature should do their job and they should use their skills as citizen legislators, and as representatives closest to the people, to give their input on where this money should be used.”
Democratic Sen. Melissa Agard of Madison said shifting the authority to spend federal dollars to the Legislature would be a mistake because GOP legislative leaders opted to take no action on the pandemic after passing one bill in April of 2020.
More: Vos sees no need for Legislature to take COVID-related action as hospitals face open bed shortage
More: Wisconsin is now projected to take in an additional $2.9 billion over two years
The proposal, which passed 20-12, must also pass in the Assembly, then both houses again next session before going to voters for final approval.
Republican lawmakers have sought control of federal funding for months. Evers vetoed a bill in 2021 that would have required the Legislature to approve his plans to spend billions in pandemic aid. He said at the time that involving the Legislature would slow down distribution of relief aid.
Make your voice heard. Find and contact your representatives.
Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Senate OKs proposed constitutional amendment on federal funds
