tldr; Both referendum questions have been proposed by and are supported by Republicans. Both referendum questions are opposed by Democrats. If you typically agree with Republicans, vote YES on both referendum questions. If you typically agree with Democrats, vote NO on both referendum questions.
On Tuesday, August 13, Wisconsinites will vote in the 2024 partisan primary. Depending on voters’ locations, ballots will contain primary races for the United States Senate, the Wisconsin State Assembly, and more. Voters will be able to vote within one political party only (Democratic, Republican, etc.). Winners from each party will face off in the general election on Tuesday, November 5—a.k.a. the big presidential election.
Appearing on all ballots across the state on August 13 will be two clear-as-mud referendum questions. They are:
State of Wisconsin Delegation of Appropriation Power Referendum – QUESTION 1
• QUESTION 1: “Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?”
State of Wisconsin Allocation of Federal Moneys Referendum – QUESTION 2
• QUESTION 2: “Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”
Both questions, says Phil Rocco at The Recombobulation Area, “have huge consequences for the state’s ability to make effective use of federal funds, especially during emergencies, and for the balance of power between a Republican-dominated legislature and its Democratic governor.” (Emphasis ours.) He continues: “Taken together, the amendments contained in Question 1 and 2 would eliminate virtually any power the governor has to allocate certain federal funds without approval from the legislature.”
Both questions have been proposed by and are supported by Republicans. “Our state needs you to vote ‘Yes’ on two constitutional amendments that would restore sanity to the spending process and hold both our governor and legislators accountable,” says the Badger Institute. “Your ‘Yes’ will help rein in wasteful, out-of-control spending of federal grants in Wisconsin and give legislators a say in the increasing flow of federal spending in our state.”
Both questions are opposed by Democrats. “Our laws already give legislators a say in how tax dollars are spent through the collaborative state budget-making process,” says the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “These amendments would give the legislature excessive power to decide how to distribute federal funds. We cannot allow our legislators to siphon even more power for themselves and then sit on our money while they gavel-in and gavel-out of session when we need them most.”
So there you go. If you agree with Republicans, vote YES on both questions. If you agree with Democrats, vote NO on both questions.
As for the rest of the election, find out where to vote, how to vote, and what will be on your ballot HERE. Vote!
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