Bradley, Wichgers Slam Evers’ Flood Grant Veto as “Petty Political Retribution”
Madison, WI — Senator Julian Bradley (R–New Berlin) and Representative Chuck Wichgers (R–Muskego) today blasted Governor Tony Evers for vetoing critical funding for flood mitigation in the Racine County Town of Norway, taking the Governor to task for politicizing the issue and demonstrating a lack of leadership.
The project was designed to protect homes, farmland, and public infrastructure near State Highway 36 from repeated flooding, and had earned bipartisan support before the Governor struck it from the state budget. According to the legislators and the Governor’s own veto message, Evers singled out certain projects to be vetoed not based on merit, but in retaliation for the Legislature declining to renew an unrelated Natural Resources program.
“This isn’t a policy disagreement, it’s a hostage situation,” said Senator Bradley. “Governor Evers used his veto pen to punish innocent families in Racine County because he didn’t get his way. It’s cynical, it’s petty, and it’s beneath the office he holds.”
Bradley and Wichgers noted that a similar flood prevention project in Northeastern Wisconsin – also initially vetoed under the same rationale – has since moved forward with state assistance. They are now demanding that the Town of Norway receive the same treatment.
“Our constituents aren’t pawns or bargaining chips,” said Rep. Wichgers. “Governor Evers needs to stop playing games with people’s homes and safety. If he can find a way to fix this in one part of the state, he can do it here too. Enough with the politics – do the right thing.”
The lawmakers called on the Governor to restore the funding, warning that further delay risks the safety and well-being of the community.
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