WisDems: ICYMI: Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski—don’t give do-nothing legislature more power

MADISON, Wis. — In a new Cap Times op-ed, Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski lays out why Wisconsinites must vote ‘NO’ on questions one and two on August 13. These congressional amendments would give the Legislature that was the least active governing body in the nation during the COVID–19 pandemic control over federal emergency funds Wisconsinites desperately need. 

Right now, the GOP–controlled Legislature is blocking millions of dollars of funding for PFAS cleanup and western Wisconsin hospitals struggling to give care to communities following hospital closures. Republican politicians in Madison have repeatedly refused to put the wellbeing of Wisconsinites ahead of their own political interests. They cannot be trusted with the authority to control federal emergency funds. 

Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski:“For the future of our state, please join me in voting no on questions one and two.”

The Cap Times: Opinion | Don’t give do-nothing Legislature more power
By: WI Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski

On Aug. 13, Wisconsinites face a critical choice that could reshape our state’s future. This election provides an important opportunity to reject two constitutional amendments that would erode the checks and balances in our government and give the Legislature unfair authority to dictate our state’s future.

Voters will have two constitutional amendments on their August ballot. At the heart of these amendments is an extreme power grab that gives the Legislature sole power to distribute federal funds. Currently, the governor and legislators work together to allocate most of the federal funds directed to our state. In emergencies like natural disasters, the governor has discretion to direct funds to state agencies, ensuring timely relief to those who urgently need it.

These amendments would permanently prohibit Wisconsin governors from having a role in how these funds are used, and recent history shows such a change would be disastrous.

Wisconsin has a full-time Legislature, yet under Republican control, it was the least active full-time legislature in the country during the pandemic. This year, the Assembly gaveled out on Feb. 22 and the Senate on March 12. Their inaction has led to tens of millions in federal funds — our tax dollars — being revoked from Wisconsin. Even now, they’re holding funds hostage that should be used to clean up toxic chemicals from our water and help keep rural hospitals open.

Now this group of extreme legislators is asking voters to consolidate more power to the detriment of the state. They have strategically placed these constitutional amendments during the August election, which historically has lower turnout, and crafted the amendment language to be confusing and vague. This is a desperate attempt by their gerrymandered majority to hold on to power.

Since 1996, Wisconsin has only defeated one of 12 amendments, which was to remove the State Treasurer’s Office. As a leader of the bipartisan group that successfully defeated that amendment, I know that it took all of us meeting with voters and sharing information. We spoke to our neighbors, presented to local organizations and wrote letters to editors, doing whatever we could to reach voters and share the devastating impacts. Once Wisconsinites knew the truth, they didn’t fall for the trap and overwhelmingly voted to stop this attack on our democracy.

On Aug. 13, it is up to us once again to show the extreme gerrymandered Legislature that Wisconsin demands checks and balances and rejects this consolidation of power. For the future of our state, please join me in voting no on questions one and two.