Democratic Governor Tony Evers announced this week plans to include a proposal in his 2025-27 budget to establish a binding referendum process in Wisconsin, allowing voters to propose and repeal state laws. This effort is like an initiative from 2022, which did not advance due to Republica opposition. Evers argues that such a process would empower Wisconsinites to address issues like abortion access, Medicaid expansion, and marijuana legalization—matters he claims reflect the majority’s will but have been blocked by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Republican leaders have already signaled their opposition, with Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu vowing to strip policy proposals from the budget, calling the governor’s plan a “laundry list” of political priorities. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos dismissed the measure as an attempt to undermine legislative authority.

Despite smaller margins in the state Assembly and Senate this session, the GOP retains control, leaving Evers’ proposal unlikely to pass.