MADISON (WKOW) — Wisconsin Republicans are advancing a proposed constitutional amendment that would take power from the governor and give it to the Legislature.
Under current law, the governor is allowed to allocate money given to the state by the federal government.
The amendment, currently titled Assembly Joint Resolution 6 and Senate Joint Resolution 5, would vest that power in the Legislature.
The measures received a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue Wednesday, the first movement on the legislation since last September.
The development has prompted reaction from climate and environmental groups.
“Wisconsin communities regularly depend on a governor’s authority to be able to quickly deploy federal dollars to respond to emergencies,” Jennifer Giegerich, government affairs director for Wisconsin Conservation voters, said.
She worries lawmakers can’t move fast enough to distribute money in a crisis.
“[The amendment] puts people in a vulnerable position when we can least afford to do that,” Giegerich said.
In testimony supporting the amendment given to the Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue, Sen. Howard Marklien (R-Spring Green) argued in favor of the amendment.
“This resolution increases accountability, efficiency and transparency in the expenditure of funds received from the federal government by restoring the legislature’s role in approving those expenditures,” he wrote.
Climate activists are primarily concerned about how the amendment would impact Wisconsin’s future generations.
“We’re standing here on a 40-degree day in the middle of February,” Abby Novinska, executive director of Healthy Climate Wisconsin, said in an interview with 27 News. “And we need to take action now if we’re going to preserve the health of our communities.”
Noviska believes the amendment would slow the response to climate change, a problem in which she feels personally invested.
“I’m concerned about the health impacts, because I’ve seen them already in my family and friends,”
Noviska does not want the state putting up more roadblocks to potential action addressing the climate.
“We don’t need to delay funds in order for communities to get care,” she said.
If passed by lawmakers in the next few months, a referendum for final approval of the amendment would go on November’s ballot for the voters to decide whether the measure takes effect.
Amending Wisconsin’s Constitution requires consideration by two sessions of the state Legislature. After passing in both sessions, the amendment goes to a statewide referendum.
If the measure fails to pass, the amendment process would have to start over again.
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