Wisconsin voters reject Republican-written constitutional amendment questions that would limit governor’s power to spend federal money

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters on Tuesday rejected Republican-authored ballot questions that would have limited the governor’s power to spend federal money that comes to the state for disaster relief or any other crisis, unless it’s already earmarked.

Both questions were shot down with about 57% of the vote. But in La Crosse County, voters said no at a 69% clip for both questions.

The constitutional amendments were placed on the ballot by the GOP-controlled state Legislature. It’s one of seven Republicans have or will have put on Wisconsin ballots in 2023 and 2024. The six other Midwest states, combined, have only put six constitutional amendments on ballots over that time.

While Republicans were pushing for yes votes on the amendments, Democrats, including Gov. Tony Evers, and a host of progressive groups and others, organized against a no vote.

They had argued adopting them would slow down the distribution of money when it needs to be spent quickly.

“This was a referendum on our administration’s work and the future for Wisconsin we’ve been working hard to build together, and the answer is reflected in the people’s vote tonight,” Evers said in a statement.

Republican backers argued the measures would have added more oversight and serve as a check on the governor’s powers — something that was not an issue until Evers beat Republican Scott Walker in 2018.

Republicans pushed the amendments after taking issue with Evers having the power to distribute billions of dollars in COVID-19 federal relief money without legislative approval.