By Ben Hintz, 350 Wisconsin Action intern
On Tuesday, August 13, we are urging all Wisconsinites to vote NO on Questions 1 & 2. These two proposed state constitutional amendments are dangerous for our futures, our communities, and our health.
To sum up, these referendums both give the state assembly and state senate power to intervene in how the governor spends federal money. On both of these amendments, it is important to vote NO. The referendum has a direct impact on how Governor Evers is able to allocate state funding and gives direct power to the state legislature. If these amendments pass, Governor Evers will not be able to quickly administer funds to communities that need immediate action and assistance from natural disasters that affect communities across Wisconsin.
The amendments would also have the potential to impact any federal money coming to the state government for things like education, Medicaid, community resilience, and more.
Why are these proposals dangerous for Wisconsin?
Communities across the country have been impacted by consistent patterns of thunderstorms and flooding throughout the summer months. More specifically, in the Midwest, there have been wide-scale tornadoes, flooding, and unforeseen heat waves. In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for 21 counties in northwest Iowa and directed all available state resources to assist Rock Valley and other communities in response to “catastrophic flooding.” Parts of Minnesota also had to go under flood warnings due to the high water levels.
Storms and flooding have also directly affected Wisconsinites. Recently, members of the Manawa community were forced to evacuate due to high levels of water near the Manawa dam. Governor Evers has declared multiple emergencies for the state this summer, and flood warnings have been issued very frequently. In La Crosse, flooding has shut down Pettibone Park and various trails around the marsh. In Wisconsin, flooding is the most common and costly disaster. Climate change is already here in Wisconsin, and it is important we understand not only how weather changes affect our personal lives but also what we need to protect our communities from harm.
Not only do storms and flooding have immediate effects on our communities and livelihood, but the ripple effect of these storms is immense. The economic consequences, as well as the destruction of our environment, are something that cannot be ignored. Floodwaters tear through the environment, including farmlands, stripping soils of their much-needed nutrients. While farmers experience higher costs to recoup the damage caused by flooding, fertilizer companies benefit. Farm animals, too, are often killed in the disastrous wake of floodwaters. Water from floods also has the possibility of causing disease and infections among those who come in contact with the water. While homes are built with flooding in mind, they are not built to withstand constant pressure from water. If we continue to ignore the rapid changes to our climate, these storms will become normalized, and our lives will be changed forever.
For more information on the proposed constitutional amendments and why they’re dangerous, visit Wisconsin Votes No.