As I See It
Governor best to decide how to spend pandemic money
Governor Tony Evers made a stop in La Crosse this week to urge voters to say no to two constitutional amendments that appear on the August ballot. The amendments, if approved by voters, would limit the power of the Wisconsin Governor to spend certain federal funding. Under state law, a governor can accept federal money without the Legislature’s involvement, as long as the spending complies with the federal laws which made the money available. That is what Governor Evers did when accepting federal money to help combat the pandemic. The money went to cities and towns and day cares and small businesses and others affected by the pandemic. The money was not improperly allocated nor was it squandered. But the Legislature thinks it should have to sign off on the Governor’s spending plans and that is what the constitutional amendments being put to voters would do. But is that efficient? Our state representatives don’t typically move quickly. A pandemic required a prompt response, something unlikely if the entire Legislature had to agree to a spending plan. During natural disasters or public health crisis Wisconsin should be able to provide help quickly, which wouldn’t happen if we require more unnecessary red tape.
Mike Hochertz
July 31, 2024 at 8:25 am
Scott
Why would you advocate that the Governor have dictatorial type power and not have oversight from the legislator.
What are the ties that go along with the acceptance of that federal money? It is kind of like when my wife tells me that she gets “Kohls” bucks every time she buys something there. The caveat is she is spending more verses saving. That is what the Federal allocation is doing, mandating spending and that comes with additonal upkeep.
I do not think that Democrat or Republican governors should be able to tie us financially into something that is not the will of the people.
Bob N.
August 1, 2024 at 8:11 am
34 other states require their legislatures approve the governor’s ideas for spending. There’s a lot of ARPA money unaccounted for because Wisconsin’s bi-partisan Assembly and Senate did not have a look at where the Federal money was being allocated by the governor.. Vote YES on the two questions August 13th.
walden
August 4, 2024 at 12:50 pm
The Covid money is a perfect example. Consider how the City and County of La Crosse pissed away $50 million combined to fund all their special little projects and now taxpayers will be left picking up the tab as that money runs out. It took them almost 3 years to figure out who’s budget to pad so what’s the rush now?
Ditto, La Crosse School District spent over $10 million COVID monies and now wants tax increases to continue all the fun programs they invented.
No accountability. Parasites.
John Q Public
August 1, 2024 at 6:00 am
So letting an idiot spend money is a responsibility things, get a grip Scott.
John Q Public
August 1, 2024 at 10:28 am
CORRECTION TO POST
So letting an idiot spend money is a RESPONSIBLE THING…get a grip Scott.
Tom
August 1, 2024 at 8:31 am
It’s not just for “pandemic” money. It’s any fed (emergency?) money. Also, in our form of self governing, we can try things and change ’em. That’s our process.
walden
August 4, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Most of the time the money offered by the Feds is simply a bribe with taxpayer money to get state and local government to fall in line with political goals. I would think the governor would actually welcome some input from the legislature to keep from having to bend to unreasonable pressures. But then, our current governor is only good for carrying water for others.
As is apparent with the PFAS funding, the governor has no spending plan other than to “just spend it on something, anything.”
Tom
August 6, 2024 at 8:53 am
With these Referendums passing does not exclude the Governor; it includes the Legislature – that the People of WI voted for to represent them locally.
Vote “Yes” on both Referendums.