Wisconsin residents voting in today’s primary election will make a number of important decisions. In addition to voting for state legislative candidates, there are two important statewide contests on Wisconsin’s August 13 primary ballot, proposed constitutional amendments that will determine whether Wisconsin remains an outlier in giving the Governor unilateral control of federal funds sent to the state.
In a recent article for Forbes.com, ATR’s Patrick Gleason explains what the proposed constitutional amendments would do should voters approve them:
“Wisconsin is currently one of fewer than ten states where the legislature does not have any say in the allocation of federal transfer dollars, which comprise a significant share of total state outlays. Question 1 and Question 2, two constitutional amendments referred to the August 13 ballot by Wisconsin legislators, would change that. If voters approve Question 1 and 2, Wisconsin would join the majority of states in placing the power of the taxpayer purse in the hands of elected representatives.
Question 1 would prevent the Wisconsin Legislature from delegating budgetary authority to the executive branch. Question 2 stipulates that spending of federal transfer dollars is subject to legislative approval moving forward.”
Among the state legislative primaries that Wisconsin residents will vote in today, some feature two incumbents drawn into the same district, while other races feature challengers taking on an incumbent. There are also a number of races that have multiple candidates vying for an open seat.
ATR has been asking all candidates running in the August 13 primary to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a written commitment to oppose legislation that would result in a net tax hike, and will continue to do in the lead up to November’s general election. To see the full list of candidates running in Wisconsin’s August 13 primary who have made this important commitment to taxpayers, click here.