The Wisconsin State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment that would prohibit the governor from using the partial (line-item) veto power to create or increase any tax or fee. Wisconsin's partial veto power is among the broadest in the nation, and governors have used it to significantly alter the intent of passed legislation.
This is one of three amendments placed on the November 2026 ballot by the Republican-controlled legislature, and is widely seen as a response to Governor Tony Evers' use of creative partial vetoes.
Preventing the executive from unilaterally creating or increasing taxes through veto manipulation upholds the constitutional principle that taxing power belongs to the legislature as the people's representatives.
"The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it."
— Proverbs 29:4 (KJV)