WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate will vote to override four recent vetoes by Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Senator Mary Felzkowski of Tomahawk and Cory Tomczyk of Mosinee made the announcement at Wausau City Hall on Monday as part of a series of statewide press conferences. Felzkowski says the disconnect between the Governor’s office and the Legislative branch is getting frustrating.
“It’s just like, it’s his way or no way,” said Felzkowski. “We call him ‘Governor Veto’ because he has more vetoes than any other Governor in history. He keeps saying ‘I want to work together,’ but obviously he doesn’t.”
Bills that will be voted on include funding for PFAS testing and remediation, alternative pathways for professionals to receive their teacher’s licenses, and a statewide wolf hunt. In some of those cases, Evers has tried to call a special session of the Legislative Joint Finance Committee. Felzkowski, who sits on that committee, says that actually can’t happen and any action taken in that context could be illegal. “The Governor has no authority to call [a meeting of the Joint Finance Committee] just like I can’t tell the Department of Health Services what to do.”
The Republican went on to accuse the Governor of trying to win public opinion through his calls to “release the funding” even though he vetoed bills that would do so. “The Governor is outside of his lane. Yes, he wants the money released and that sounds good to the public but he’s actually asking us to do something we don’t have the authority to do.”
Similar press conferences were held in Madison, Waukesha, and Eau Claire. Republicans do not have a super-majority in the State Assembly, meaning they would need support from at least two Democrats to complete the override. Felzkowski says it’s not clear if they will get that support in the lower chamber.
Comments