Wisconsin voters reject 2 constitutional amendments in referendum

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – Two constitutional amendments that would have transferred power over federal fund distribution from the governor to the state legislature failed in a referendum during Tuesday’s statewide partisan primary.

The Associated Press called the races for the “No” votes at 9:11 p.m.

The amendments read:

Delegation of appropriation power. Shall section 35 (1) of article IV of the constitution be created to provide that the legislature may not delegate its sole power to determine how moneys shall be appropriated?

Referendum Question 1

Allocation of federal moneys. Shall section 35 (2) of article IV of the constitution be created to prohibit the governor from allocating any federal moneys the governor accepts on behalf of the state without the approval of the legislature by joint resolution or as provided by legislative rule?

Referendum Question 2

Historically, Wisconsin voters had approved roughly two-thirds of statewide referendum questions on the ballot.

The rejections mean that the power to distribute federal funding remains with the governor’s office.