Wisconsin Supreme Court Says Governor’s 400-Year Edit Was Within Veto Authority
In a recent ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously declared that Governor Tony Evers’ decision to change a budget provision to limit the power of the Legislature was within his veto authority. The controversial move, which some critics labeled as a “400-year edit,” allowed the governor to effectively rewrite a provision in the state budget that would have restricted his ability to control how federal COVID-19 relief funds were spent.
The provision in question was inserted by Republican lawmakers during the budget process and would have required the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to approve any spending of federal funds related to the pandemic. Governor Evers, a Democrat, used his partial veto authority to change the language of the provision, effectively giving himself the power to allocate the funds as he saw fit.
The decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to uphold the governor’s veto power has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of Governor Evers argue that he was well within his rights to use his veto authority to make changes to the budget in order to better serve the needs of the state during a public health crisis. They also point out that previous governors, both Republican and Democrat, have used similar veto powers in the past.
However, critics of the ruling, including many Republican lawmakers, argue that Governor Evers’ actions were an abuse of power and that the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision sets a dangerous precedent for future governors. They believe that the governor should not have the authority to make such significant changes to the budget without the approval of the Legislature.
Despite the controversy surrounding the ruling, it is clear that the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision has reaffirmed the governor’s veto authority and the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. While the debate over the governor’s actions may continue, it is important to remember that the court’s decision is final and that Governor Evers’ veto power remains intact.