WISCONSIN SENATE OVERRIDES THREE OF GOVERNOR’S VETOES

Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate have voted three times to override vetoes from Gov. Tony Evers, two of them partial vetoes that Evers made to the 2023-25 state budget. 

The override votes then go to the state Assembly, where the GOP is just two seats shy of the two-thirds majority needed to concur with the Senate and override. Any Assembly action is likely to have happened after press time for this Voice issue. 

Evers’ vetoed budget language that cut the income tax rate for households with incomes from $25,000 to $370,000. He had also vetoed SB-49, a bill to protect liquified gas retailers from government restrictions on their products and also to block state agencies and local governments from restricting utilities or discriminating against them based on their “type or source of energy.”

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EVERS VETOES BILLS THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED LOCAL BANS ON ENERGY USE
Governor Tony Evers has vetoed several bills that would have prevented Wisconsin communities from barring the use of vehicles or appliances powered by fossil fuels. Two bills sought to prevent Wisconsin’s state and local governments from passing mandates that aim to shift away from vehicles or stoves that run on gas in favor of those powered by electricity.

Another proposal sought to prevent communities from requiring specific sources of energy.  Republican lawmakers and supporters have said the proposals aimed to protect consumer choice. In his veto message, Evers said signing the bills would diminish the state’s ability to combat climate change by shifting to new technology.