Hey there, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.
Over the past few years, I’ve proposed legislation to expand BadgerCare, legalize marijuana, restore Roe v. Wade and defend reproductive freedom, enact commonsense gun safety reform, expand paid family leave, create a nonpartisan redistricting process, and among so many other proposals that we know a majority of Wisconsinites support.
Because I believe the will of the people should be the law of the land.
Unfortunately, even though these commonsense policies have broad public support from Wisconsinites, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly obstructed our efforts and ignored the will of the people.
Unlike over 20 other states, in Wisconsin, only the Legislature can approve and place ballot questions on the ballot, leaving Wisconsinites little recourse when the Legislature fails to enact policies that have broad public support.
Republican lawmakers shouldn’t be able to ignore the will of the people and then prevent the people from having a voice when legislators fail to listen. That has to change.
So, this week, I announced I am including a provision in my budget to require the Legislature to allow Wisconsinites to pass binding referenda and enact statutory and constitutional changes through a majority vote at the ballot box.
I believe you should have a say and a voice in our state laws and the questions that appear on your ballot.
If Republican lawmakers are going to continue to try and legislate by constitutional amendment, then they should give Wisconsinites the same opportunity. It’s that simple. And that’s what we’ll be asking Republicans to do in my next budget.
Let’s get to work, and let’s get it done, folks. Thank you.
