Wisconsin constitutional amendments and the crazy train of political obstructionism

Amending the state constitution to prevent governors from directing federal emergency relief to rural Wisconsinites in a disaster could dangerously derail our state, the Wisconsin Farmers Union says. | Photo from Circus World Museum by Jay Rath

Wisconsin Farmers Union wants the public to understand the impact two proposed constitutional amendments on the Aug. 13 ballot will have on our rural communities, farms, infrastructure and communities. Two questions will appear on the ballot, both  designed to limit the power of the governor to distribute federal funding. If they pass, the balance of power in state government will be upset and our state will become even more dysfunctional. Here are the two  poorly worded questions as they will appear on the  ballot: 

Question 1:“Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?”

Question 2:“Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?”

The farmers who make up our member-driven organization often talk about wading through red tape, but if these constitutional changes pass we can expect our state government to become even more unresponsive.

That’s worrying for farmers, who have so much to lose when a disaster hits. Many know too well how important relief is when avian influenza strikes a poultry operation, milk can’t be picked up due to flooded roads or your neighbors are forced to close their businesses. As we have learned through repeated disasters in Wisconsin, the governor’s office is the most effective arm of government to act swiftly, getting money and relief where they need to go.

Many will remember that a wet fall and spring set the stage in 1993 for severe floods across Wisconsin. Agriculture losses reached $800 million with 47 of the state’s 72 counties declared federal disaster areas. With former Gov. Tommy Thompson presiding over the distribution of funds, more than  $76 million in federal and state aid went to Wisconsin communities for individual and family grants, public assistance grants, business loans, temporary housing, health services, crisis counseling, community development block grants, disaster unemployment assistance and highway recovery.

Multiple times during his administration, former Gov. Scott Walker asked for federal disaster assistance. The two 100-year floods that struck northwest Wisconsin in 2016 and 2018 took out roads, bridges and people lost their lives caught in flood waters. The former governor declared a state of emergency for multiple counties, sent in the National Guard, and asked former President Trump for federal disaster relief. In April 2018, Walker visited farm country to see firsthand the loss of structures and animals from a heavy April blizzard. Standing beside two Wisconsin dairy operators, Walker said, “We’d be asking for as much help as we can get.” 

Regardless of which party is represented in the governor’s seat, that individual may be asked to distribute federal dollars quickly to communities that need them the most. We gave the state’s executive this power during the depths of the Great Depression because we recognized that in a time of need, the function of this position is way more important than who sits in it and which party they represent. The Legislature still holds the purse strings for the entire state budget, but acting quickly and decisively during a crisis is a power that we’ve granted to the executive branch for good reason.

Our Wisconsin Legislature has become  known for inaction and dysfunction. In 2020 in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, ours was the least active full-time state legislative body in the country. We should not codify more obstruction and consolidate legislators’ power when they have shown little ability to work in a bipartisan way or to compromise to get things done with the governor and administrative departments.  It would be a big mistake to  let such a dysfunctional, self-interested body take even more  control.

Statewide election turnout for Aug. 13 is expected to be slightly over 50%, so it is absolutely crucial to help get out the vote. The wording of the two ballot measures is intentionally confusing, so we must do what we can to educate our neighbors about the amendments. Practical examples like FEMA funding in natural disasters, or rebuilding bridges illustrate how governors have used federal dollars to benefit the public. These amendments are not in the public interest.  Wisconsinites are weary of riding the partisan crazy train, but it is crucial that we show up at the polls and weigh in on  long lasting constitutional changes that could push our state  further off the rails.

Using the constitution as a sledgehammer in partisan power struggles is never a good idea. We encourage all voters to think deeply about the impacts these reactive changes could have on the people, communities, and places you care about.