Lawmakers would gain a say in how to spend federal aid under GOP plan
MADISON – Republicans are seeking to amend the state constitution to give lawmakers a say in how to use federal aid instead of letting governors spend it as they see fit.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has overseen how to spend more than $5 billion in federal help to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and its economic toll.
His control of the money has frustrated Republicans who lead the Legislature, prompting them to try to rewrite the state constitution.
Republican lawmakers are also pursuing amending the state constitution to require the state to follow generally accepted accounting principles. Such a change would prevent state officials from using budgeting gimmicks they have relied on for decades, particularly during difficult financial times.
Lawmakers could vote on the amendments this spring. If the amendments pass, lawmakers would have to approve them a second time in 2023 or 2024. After that, the amendments would go to Wisconsin voters in a referendum for final approval.
Governors don't have a say in changing the state constitution, so Evers does not have a way to stop the effort.
Wisconsin lawmakers gave up their oversight of federal funds during the Great Depression when federal assistance surged.
With federal help again increasing, it's time for legislators to reclaim their authority over federal funds, said Republican state Sen. Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield.
“Today the Legislature has pushed off their responsibility to the executive branch to oversee federal funds and we think this is wrong,” Kooyenga said Tuesday at a Capitol news conference. “So the constitutional amendment that we're proposing, very simply says the Legislature should do its job.”
The amendment he is backing would require a legislative committee, such as the Joint Finance Committee, to approve the use of any federal funds.
“Julius Caesar is not running the show here,” GOP state Sen. Duey Stroebel of Saukville said at the conference.
“This is a democratic republic and we have people that are elected, close to the people they represent, and we want them to be able to have a greater voice in how these federal monies are spent — not just one person making those decisions.”
The amendment regarding accounting practices is meant to get at an issue that has long frustrated Republicans.
The state constitution requires the state budget to be balanced, but officials have used accounting definitions that differ from those used by businesses. For years, the state maintained a budget that included deficits as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
Republican state Sen. Howard Marklein of Spring Green said now is the time to change accounting practices because the state is in good financial shape.
“What I hope ... this GAAP constitutional amendment will do is will remove the temptation for future legislatures and future governors from using accounting gimmicks to balance a state budget,” Marklein said.
The amendment on federal funds is Senate Joint Resolution 84 and the amendment on accounting practices is Senate Joint Resolution 85.