As I See It
Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly reject changes to Constitution
An effort to change the state Constitution failed overwhelmingly at the polls this week. I find that surprising, but not because voting no was the proper choice. The two questions on the ballot would have limited the power of the Governor to spend federal money, and instead given that power to the Legislature. Last time I looked, the Wisconsin Legislature isn’t exactly a model of efficiency. Our lawmakers in Madison have consistently refused to address the state’s most urgent needs, whether cleaning up PFAS contamination so that people can have clean drinking water or tax rebates as a way to spend a state surplus. The Governor calls our state representatives into session, and they fail to do anything other than open and close the meeting. They have taken no action on many important issues. Why then would we want the Legislature in charge during a time of crisis, when decisions need to be made quickly? Their only real motivation was to grab more power away from the Governor. Governor Evers did not misspend the federal money. It was distributed to those who needed it. If the Legislature had a say in how the money should be spent, they would probably still be arguing about it, or more likely, not doing anything at all.
Roy
August 15, 2024 at 11:07 am
There will come a time, soon I hope, when the people elect our next Republican governor. I’ll keep your editorial to remind you of what you said, Scott.
walden
August 15, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Quite the hissy rant from Shaw.
Note the state budget surplus Shaw is so eager to spend is a result of a legislature running things fiscally responsibly; that the legislature in fact authorized the use of over $100 million of funds for PFAS contingent on the Gov and DNR presenting a plan for spending it (which they have failed to do); the governor ignored requests by the legislature for tax rebates and to eliminate income tax for most retirees (something Shaw supported in one of his scribblings until Dem Evers said “no”).
MikeHochertz
August 15, 2024 at 5:59 pm
Walden,
I agree that Mr Shaw displays editorial amnesia at times. In addition he puts out his opinions in a manner that is prosperous from a news director. Such as is displayed in this blog.
Agreed that Shaw doesn’t come out and say anything about Governor Evers not addressing the legislation for tax rebate or eliminating income tax for retires. Scott start being positive for the community