Unlike in other states, Wisconsinites do not have the power to propose new laws or constitutional amendments through a binding ballot initiative process, which would otherwise enable the people of Wisconsin to enact policy changes through a simple statewide majority vote. In Wisconsin, only the Legislature can approve and place ballot questions on the ballot, leaving Wisconsinites little recourse when the Legislature fails to enact policies that have broad public support. Gov. Evers’ budget proposal will require the Legislature to create a pathway for Wisconsinites to enshrine the will of the people into state law, including on issues and areas that have long been supported by a majority of Wisconsinites but have been repeatedly rejected by the Republican majority in the Legislature, including legalizing and regulating marijuana, ensuring access to safe and legal abortion, expanding BadgerCare, and enacting commonsense gun safety reform policies, among other critical priorities of statewide importance and support.
The governor’s proposal comes as Wisconsinites saw five statewide referenda questions in 2024—the most in a single year in over four decades, according to a report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Yesterday, the governor also issued a statement on yet another Republican-backed constitutional amendment, which was also Republican-drafted and Republican-passed, largely without direct input from the people of Wisconsin.
Hey there, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here. Over the past few years, I’ve proposed legislation to expand BadgerCare, legalize marijuana, restoreRoe v. Wade and defend reproductive freedom, enact commonsense gun safety reform, expand paid family leave, create a nonpartisan redistricting process, and among so many other proposals that we know a majority of Wisconsinites support. Because I believe the will of the people should be the law of the land. Unfortunately, even though these commonsense policies have broad public support from Wisconsinites, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly obstructed our efforts and ignored the will of the people. Unlike over 20 other states, in Wisconsin, only the Legislature can approve and place ballot questions on the ballot, leaving Wisconsinites little recourse when the Legislature fails to enact policies that have broad public support. Republican lawmakers shouldn’t be able to ignore the will of the people and then prevent the people from having a voice when legislators fail to listen. That has to change. So, this week, I announced I am including a provision in my budget to require the Legislature to allow Wisconsinites to pass binding referenda and enact statutory and constitutional changes through a majority vote at the ballot box. I believe you should have a say and a voice in our state laws and the questions that appear on your ballot. If Republican lawmakers are going to continue to try and legislate by constitutional amendment, then they should give Wisconsinites the same opportunity. It’s that simple. And that’s what we’ll be asking Republicans to do in my next budget. Let’s get to work, and let’s get it done, folks. Thank you.
