Assembly to vote on ending state treasurer position

Most duties have been moved to other agencies

MADISON - A proposal to eliminate the largely ceremonial office of state treasurer is expected to see a vote in the Assembly on March 9.

But the earliest that voters could weigh in on this change to the state constitution would be April 2018.

The measure passed the Senate and Assembly last legislative session and must do so again this session before it can be put to a statewide referendum — the final step in the process for amending the state’s charter.

The treasurer’s office once played an important role but has gradually lost its duties to other agencies. Two years ago, lawmakers removed one of its last major responsibilities — authority for the state’s unclaimed property program.

The office is budgeted to spend $113,500 annually over the next two years, under Gov. Scott Walker’s budget bill.

In 2015, the Assembly voted 63-33 to approve the legislation. Six Democrats joined 57 Republicans to support the measure; opposed were 30 Democrats and three Republicans.

The measure passed the Senate in early 2016 on a 2013 vote, with two Democrats and 18 Republicans voting for the bill and 12 Democrats and one Republican voting against it.

GOP Treasurer Matt Adamczyk and his predecessor, Kurt Schuller, both campaigned in 2014 and in 2010, respectively, on eliminating the position, and Adamczyk has continued to advocate for the elimination of the office to streamline state government.

“Voters have elected both my predecessor and (me) on the pledge to eliminate the antiquated office of the state treasurer,” Adamczyk said in 2015.

In the past, Republican lawmakers have also sought to eliminate the job of longtime Secretary of State Doug La Follette, a Democrat who has also seen his duties eroded. La Follette has argued for keeping his job, saying that elected officials are more responsive to the public than bureaucrats.

The current proposal leaves La Follette alone and affects only the treasurer, though it would likely strengthen the argument to eventually eliminate the secretary of state.

If approved in the Assembly next, the measure would go to the Senate. Both chambers are controlled by Republicans.