To the editor,

On Aug. 13 we will vote on two important referendum questions to amend our Wisconsin State constitution.

Question 1 will add a new section to state that “the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated.” This will allow the legislature to veto any decision the governor makes on how to spend money in the state budget that is built by both branches, then approved by the legislature and signed into law by the governor. It has always been the responsibility of the governor to administer the state budget once it has been approved by both branches of our government. The legislature has significant control over the amount spent in the various departments of state government and the governor determines how it’s spent. This balance creates the needed efficiency required to run a state government.

We elect our governor to a large extent on how the candidate pledges to carry out the administration of the state budget. We as citizens have elected this governor based on his philosophy so this question would deny us as citizens of our right to have our state budget administered as we voted.

This action to limit the power of the governor was first initiated when former Gov. Walker lost the election to now Gov. Evers. After the election, the legislature drafted several pieces of legislation to limit the powers of Gov. Evers when he took office, which Walker signed into law. Since the current governor is not going to sign any such legislation, the legislature has initiated referendums to amend the constitution to further limit the power of the governor. We must maintain a balanced approach to government based on compromise and negotiation. That is why we need to vote NO on Question 1.

Question 2 adds another section to the constitution that requires that the spending of any federal or other non-budget funds that the state may receive must be approved by the legislature. This authority currently is the responsibility of the governor and has been so for many years. Imagine, if we have a violent storm that results in a federal disaster declaration to provide emergency funding for recovery.  What if the legislature is not even in session? If legislative action is required, it’s likely such aid would be long delayed to those who suffered significant losses. Our state government response to the utilization of federal Covid assistance was recognized as one of most efficient among all the states. Just imagine if we would have had to wait for the legislature to act on this health crisis. This is why we need to vote NO on question 2.

Please vote to maintain the efficiency and balance of power in our state government by voting NO on both of these questions on Aug. 13.

Gary Senn

Beldenville