The Heartland Post’s Alyssa Whitmore presents the two things voters can do this November to ensure that Gov. Evers’ 400-year property tax hike is repealed and that Wisconsin never again sees something like it.
Governor Tony Evers has once again used his veto pen to stick Wisconsin taxpayers with the bill—literally. On April 3rd, he vetoed Senate Bill 389, the legislation that would have repealed his infamous “400-year veto” from the 2023-25 state budget. That creative partial veto changed a one-year, $325-per-student school revenue limit increase into a permanent levy hike that will automatically appear on property tax bills every year for the next four centuries.
This isn’t just a policy disagreement. It’s an abuse of power that locks in higher property taxes for generations of Wisconsin families, seniors, and working people. Evers’ veto of SB 389 shows he has no intention of undoing the damage.
Fortunately, Wisconsin lawmakers are fighting back on two fronts.
First, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment, SJR 116, authored by Rep. Amanda Nedweski. Because it’s a constitutional amendment, it bypasses the governor entirely and will appear on the November 3rd ballot for voters to decide. If approved, it will permanently prohibit any future governor (Republican or Democrat) from using the partial veto to create or increase taxes or fees.
This isn’t the first time Wisconsin voters have stepped in to curb partial veto overreach. Voters approved similar constitutional amendments under Governors Tommy Thompson and Jim Doyle, both passing with more than 60 percent support.
Second, SB 389 would have immediately repealed the effects of Evers’ 400-year partial veto and stopped the automatic property tax increases. Rep. Nedweski voted for it, but Evers killed it, just as expected.
That’s why Nedweski calls this a “two-pronged approach.” The constitutional amendment reins in future governors, but to actually reverse the tax hike already on the books voters need to elect a governor willing to sign a repeal bill. Congressman Tom Tiffany has repeatedly pledged to do exactly that on Day One.
Wisconsin already has some of the highest property taxes in the nation. We cannot afford another 399 years of Evers’ legacy. The only way to fully undo this damage is to elect legislators who will pass a clean repeal and elect a governor who will sign it.
This November, conservatives must vote yes on the constitutional amendment to protect taxpayers long-term, and support Tom Tiffany for governor so Wisconsin can finally reverse the 400-year tax increase and deliver real relief to Wisconsin families.
The fight isn’t over. But with voters’ help on the ballot and at the ballot box, this state can end the veto games and put taxpayers first.
