By Gov. Tommy G. Thompson

Wisconsin Gov. 1987-2001

Government works best when our elected officials work together. I have always worked this way, whether I was a state representative, a cabinet secretary, or as your governor for fourteen years. I lead and I listened.

The Wisconsin’s Constitution establishes the power to appropriate money to the legislature. Clearly, this was intentional. The United States Constitution provides the same authority to Congress. Why? Because our elected representatives are closest and most responsive to the voters. And, they know and understand — they respond and advocate — for the unique needs of their local communities.

Our Framers envisioned and designed our system so that they, your elected representatives, would drive taxing and spending decisions and would be accountable to you.

This is exactly what the ballot questions before you are asking. Should your representative — the person who goes door to door to hear and respond to the concerns of their constituents, the person working with and most responsive to local government officials and needs — have a role, as is the case for all other taxpayer spending, in directing immense amounts of federal aid. Or, should all that spending be unaccountable to and uninformed by your representatives?

If you share my determination for the value of collaboration and accountability, the answer to these questions is absolutely “YES.”