Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin launched a contentious battle to limit their Democratic governor's expansive veto powers.

AP News reports that Wisconsin Republicans proposed a constitutional amendment Monday to significantly reduce Governor Tony Evers' ability to modify spending bills through partial vetoes, a unique authority Wisconsin governors have wielded for nearly 100 years.

This latest push targets the governor's distinctive power to strike individual words, numbers, and punctuation marks from spending legislation to create new meanings or alter spending amounts. Wisconsin stands alone among U.S. states in granting its governor such extensive partial veto capabilities, making it the strongest gubernatorial veto power nationwide.

Republican Lawmakers Push For Constitutional Restriction On Veto Powers

Republican Senators Julian Bradley and Cory Tomcyzk, alongside Representative Scott Allen, are spearheading the initiative to curtail what they view as excessive executive authority. Their proposal would restrict governors to vetoing only entire sections of spending bills rather than allowing them to modify individual words or create new meanings through selective deletions.

The proposed amendment reflects growing Republican frustration with the current system's broad executive powers. Lawmakers argue that the existing partial veto authority has transformed Wisconsin's governorship into a position with legislative capabilities exceeding traditional executive bounds.

According to Republican lawmakers proposing the amendment, the current veto power has elevated the governor to the status of a "super lawmaker," a characterization they believe undermines the intended balance of governmental powers.

Historical Context Shapes Modern Veto Power Debate

Wisconsin's unique partial veto authority emerged from a 1930 constitutional amendment, though subsequent modifications have somewhat diminished its scope. Two significant changes occurred through voter-approved amendments in 1990 and 2008, eliminating specific veto practices nicknamed after their distinctive characteristics.

The 1990 amendment abolished the "Vanna White" veto, which had allowed governors to strike individual letters to form new words. Similarly, the 2008 amendment eliminated the "Frankenstein" veto, preventing governors from combining words and numbers from multiple sentences to create entirely new provisions.

These historical restrictions demonstrate the ongoing evolution of Wisconsin's gubernatorial powers, reflecting changing attitudes toward executive authority and legislative oversight.

Current Supreme Court Challenge Tests Veto Boundaries

A significant case pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court challenges Governor Evers' creative use of his partial veto power in 2023. The controversy centers on his modification of school funding legislation, where he manipulated numerical figures to extend funding increases for 400 years.

The court must now determine whether the state constitution permits governors to alter digits to create new years or remove language to extend durations beyond legislative intent. This case represents the latest chapter in Wisconsin's ongoing debate over executive authority limits.

Democratic spokesperson Britt Cudaback responded to the Republican proposal with sharp criticism: "Republicans' message to the people of Wisconsin is clear: power for me but not for thee."

Legislative Process And Timeline For Constitutional Change

The proposed amendment faces a lengthy path to implementation, requiring approval from two consecutive legislative sessions before reaching voters for final consideration. The earliest possible implementation would be 2027, contingent upon Republican control of the legislature following the 2026 election.

Republicans have increasingly utilized constitutional amendments to circumvent Governor Evers' veto authority. Five such amendments appeared on last year's ballot, with a sixth amendment regarding voter ID laws scheduled for voter consideration on April 1.

This strategic approach highlights the growing tension between legislative and executive branches in Wisconsin's political landscape.

Constitutional Amendment Sets Stage For Power Shift

The constitutional amendment proposal to limit gubernatorial veto powers marks a significant moment in Wisconsin's political evolution.

Republican lawmakers have initiated a process that could fundamentally alter the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in Wisconsin.

If successful, this amendment would end Wisconsin's distinction as the only state granting such broad partial veto authority to its governor. The proposal's fate now rests with legislative approval processes and ultimately with Wisconsin voters, who will determine whether to maintain or restrict their governor's unique veto capabilities.