From the Article:
Wisconsin Republicans are asking voters to take away the governor’s power to unilaterally spend federal money, a reaction to the billions of dollars that flowed into the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers was free to spend most of that money as he pleased, directing most of it toward small businesses and economic development, angering Republicans who argued the Legislature should have oversight.
That’s what would happen under a pair of related constitutional amendments up for voter approval in the Aug. 13 primary election. The changes would apply to Evers and all future governors and cover any federal money to the state that comes without specific spending requirements, often in response to disasters or other emergencies.
Democrats and other opponents are mobilizing against the amendments, calling them a legislative power grab that would hamstring governors’ ability to quickly respond to a future natural disaster, economic crisis or health emergency.
If the amendments pass, Wisconsin’s government “will become even more dysfunctional,” said Julie Keown-Bomar, executive director of Wisconsin Farmers Union.
“Wisconsinites are so weary of riding the partisan crazy train, but it is crucial that we show up at the polls and vote ‘no’ on these changes as they will only make us go further off the rails,” she said in a statement.
But Republicans and other backers say it’s a necessary check on the governor’s current power, which they say is too broad.
They’ll pass legislation to give the authority to the governor if they get a republican back in. They just want to make sure it’s not the wrong side spending the money.
often in response to disasters or other emergencies.
Allowing a committee to slow down disaster relief falls squarely into the “fuck around” category.
Committees are for before and after emergency responses. Make plans. Try to stick to them. Discuss what worked or didn’t, after the fact.
We don’t send health and safety issues to committee,for ethical reasons, or, if for no other reason, the survivors will have relatives who will know where we live.
Voters took away power from the governor in Pennsylvania as well a few years back. It had to do with declaring emergencies. Idiots.
The republics in Florida made it illegal for the Democratic governor to run for President and then made it legal for the republic governor to run for President.
The obstructionist asshole party wants to take away the ability of the Governor, elected by the people of the state, to respond to emergencies?
Sounds about right for the GOP.
