Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced plans to reintroduce a proposal that would allow voters to repeal and create state laws without direct legislative involvement. This initiative is set to be included in the upcoming state budget, with the aim of enabling voters to petition for ballot proposals to repeal existing statutes and introduce new ones.
In a move to address the absence of a mechanism for people to reject or enact statutes outside of the legislative process in Wisconsin, Governor Evers is pushing for this constitutional amendment. The governor had previously attempted a similar proposal in 2022 to repeal the state's 1849 abortion ban, which was thwarted by Republicans.
Wisconsin is among the 24 states that do not offer a direct avenue for citizens to influence state laws independently of the legislature, as reported by Ballotpedia. Governor Evers criticized the Republican party for disregarding public opinion on key issues such as marijuana legalization, abortion rights, gun control, and education funding.
Constitutional amendments in Wisconsin require approval in two consecutive legislative sessions and a statewide referendum to become effective, with the governor having no direct role in the process. Republicans have historically sought voter approval for amendments, with seven such proposals presented since 2010.
Despite facing opposition from Republicans, Governor Evers remains steadfast in his pursuit of empowering voters through constitutional amendments. The proposed budget mandate would initiate the consideration of Evers' amendment, potentially paving the way for future legislative action on the matter.
However, the Republican-controlled finance committee is expected to revise the budget extensively, likely removing non-fiscal proposals such as the one put forth by Governor Evers. The committee's track record suggests that the provision enabling voter-driven law creation and repeal may not survive the budget deliberations.
