The state Assembly approved an amendment to the state’s constitution Tuesday that would require 66 percent of voting members of both chambers to vote in favor of future tax bills in order to move them to the governor's desk.
Currently, all legislation needs a simple majority vote of 51 percent to be approved by both houses of the Legislature.
Republicans defended their legislation from Democratic criticism saying the bill would protect tax cuts Wisconsin citizens deserve.
State Rep. Daniel Knodl, R-Germantown, said requiring a supermajority vote for future tax bills would constitutionally protect the people of Wisconsin. He also said a supermajority vote would ensure the approval of only bipartisan tax bills.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, said the amendment would allow more people to keep their money, and said many states around the country already have the amendment in their respective constitutions.
Assembly Democrats fervently spoke to convince Republicans to vote against the amendment saying it would allow minority parties to block bills and disrupt legislation.
State Rep. Frederick Kessler, D-Milwaukee, compared the amendment to a similar amendment in Nevada and said the state has a 50 percent graduation rate for public high schools and its supermajority clause has prevented Nevada from raising its taxes for education.
This bill is a “recipe for dysfunction and minority rule,” Kessler said.
State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, said the bill would “tie the hands of future legislatures.”
The amendment passed 60-to-39 and the bill must be approved by the state Senate before citizens vote in a simple majority referendum.
