Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vetoed 41 bills passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature, including a $3 billion tax cut, loyalty pledges for higher education employees, and a plan on hunting wolves. Evers did sign a bipartisan bill supporting Holocaust education in schools and a bill to increase mental health crisis centers. Evers has vetoed more bills during his time as governor than any other in Wisconsin’s history.
Among the bills vetoed by Evers was one that would have prohibited higher education institutions from conditioning employment and admission decisions on diversity statements. Another vetoed bill would have allowed school boards to hire superintendents without a state license, a measure proposed to address turnover in superintendent positions. Evers argued against the lack of standards for such a crucial position.
Evers also signed a bill allowing fees to be charged for redacting audio and video content provided under open records requests, a move opposed by media organizations and open records advocates. He vetoed the GOP tax cut bill which aimed to reduce the state income tax rate and exempt the first $150,000 of a couple’s retirement income from taxes. Evers called the tax plan “fiscally irresponsible” and said it would prevent the state from meeting its basic obligations.
The vetoed wolf bill would have required wildlife managers to set a numeric goal for the state’s wolf population, a measure supported by hunting advocates and opposed by Evers for oversimplifying the complexities of managing a recovered wolf population. The Department of Natural Resources did not set a hard cap on the wolf population in its management plan, arguing for flexibility in managing the species. Evers cited concerns about micromanagement by the Legislature in his veto message.
Evers has been met with opposition from Republicans on various policy issues, with a focus on limiting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on university campuses. Despite the friction between the Governor and the Legislature, Evers has managed to find common ground on certain bipartisan bills, such as those supporting Holocaust education and mental health services. His stance on vetoing bills he deems detrimental to the state’s interests has made him the most vetoing Governor in Wisconsin’s history.
