The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
Wisconsin Farmers Union is taking a clear stand on two upcoming constitutional questions appearing on the August 13 ballot. Both are designed to limit the power of the governor to distribute federal funding. If they pass, the balance of power within our state government will be upset and our state will become even more dysfunctional. On the ballot, we will see these two poorly worded constitutional questions:
❌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?”
❌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?”
Our organization advocates voting no on both amendments. We don’t need more legislative red tape and partisan gridlock–especially when disaster strikes.
Farmers have so much to lose when a disaster hits. Many know too well how important relief is when avian influenza strikes a poultry operation, milk can’t be picked up due to flooded roads, or your neighbors are forced to close their businesses. As we have learned through repeated disasters in Wisconsin, the Governor’s office is the most effective arm of government to act swiftly, getting money and relief where they need to go.
Many will remember that a wet fall and spring set the stage in 1993 for severe floods across Wisconsin. Agriculture losses reached $800 million with 47 of the state’s 72 counties declared federal disaster areas.[1] With former Governor Tommy Thompson presiding over the distribution of funds, over $76 million in federal and state aid went to Wisconsin communities for individual and family grants, public assistance grants, business loans, temporary housing, health services, crisis counseling, community development block grants, disaster unemployment assistance, and highway recovery.[2]
Multiple times during his administration, former Governor Scott Walker asked for federal disaster assistance. The two 100 year floods that struck Northwest Wisconsin in 2016 and 2018 took out roads, bridges and people lost their lives caught in flood waters. The former Governor declared a state of emergency for multiple counties, sent in the National Guard, and asked former President Trump for federal disaster relief. In April 2018, Walker visited farm country to see firsthand the loss of structures and animals from a heavy April blizzard. Standing beside two Wisconsin dairy operators, Walker said, “We’d be asking for as much help as we can get.” [3]
Regardless of which party is represented in the Governor’s seat, that individual may be asked to distribute federal dollars quickly to communities that need them the most. We gave the state’s executive this power during the depths of the Great Depression because we recognized that in a time of need, the function of this position is way more important than who sits in it and which party they represent. The legislature still retains the purse strings for the entire state budget, but acting quickly and decisively during a crisis is a power that we’ve granted to the executive branch for good reason.
If we give new constitutional powers to a group of legislators who have not demonstrated the will to work, to govern together, or to work with the other branches of government, we can expect even more dysfunction and red tape. Our Wisconsin legislature is particularly known for inaction and dysfunction. In 2020 in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin State legislature was the least active full-time state legislative body in the country. The majority party wants to codify their obstructionism and consolidate their power in reaction to a Governor they don’t like. We can’t let this group of legislators use such a blunt instrument to get their way.
Statewide election turnout for August 13 is expected to be slightly over 50%, so it is absolutely crucial to vote on August 13, and to get others to turn out to vote. The wording of the two ballot measures is intentionally confusing, so we must do what we can to educate our neighbors to vote “no” on both amendments. 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.
– By Julie Keown-Bomar, Ph.D., is executive director of Wisconsin Farmers Union.
[1] https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2019/11/wisconsin-grant-program-helps-people-relocate-from-flood-prone-areas
[2] https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ASK4COG4MPVE7W8V
[3]https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2018/04/25/governor-scott-walker-fsa-director-tour-wisconsin-farms-hit-blizzard-damage/551703002/
