The governor of Wisconsin has signed a large-scale bill that contains a controversial provision blocking the ability of local governments to put non-binding advisory questions on the ballot—a policy that’s been used over the years to demonstrate widespread public support for marijuana legalization.
Gov. Tony Evers (D) gave final approval to the legislation—which is principally focused on revenue sharing and increasing funding for localities—on Tuesday, without explicitly mentioning the advisory question issue.
The local referenda have been used to take the temperature of voters on a number of issues, including those championed by Democrats like cannabis legalization and abortion rights that could theoretically boost turnout in the state, where the legislature is controlled by Republicans.
GOP legislators inserted a number of provisions into the broader legislation that are opposed by Democratic members, but the governor ultimately signed the bill into law and described it as a “historic” development that will empower localities to raise their sales tax rates to avoid bankruptcy, for example.
Democrats have criticized the advisory question elimination, however. And during last year’s election alone, voters in three counties and five municipalities approved referenda voicing support for cannabis legalization, which is a reform that’s also backed by the
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