WI Gov. Evers vetoes Wisconsin Red Tape Reset bills that would have severely cut restrictions

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a set of four bills dubbed the red tape reset on Friday that would have cut down on the 165,000 restrictions currently in state law.

The set of bills includes regulatory sunsetting, regulatory budgeting, a one rule per scope statement and a proposal challenging the validity of administrative rules.

Evers said that he vetoed the bills because he feels like it is an attempt by the Legislature to encroach on administrative rulemaking.

“Further, I also object to the Legislature making state government less efficient, less effective, and less responsive to the people of Wisconsin,” Evers wrote. “Ironically, for a Legislature fraught over purported concerns of inefficiency, regulations, and any "growth" of government, the Legislature asks me to sign a bill that will do just that.”

The laws would have required that, when a new rule adds costs for businesses, families or local governments, those costs must be offset.

“People are struggling with rising costs. Instead of providing relief, the Governor chose to protect bureaucracy,” Sen. Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin, said about the vetoes. “The Red Tape Reset was about making it easier to build a home, start a business, or simply get ahead. Today, the Governor chose to stand in the way of that progress.”

The single scope bill blocks allowing agencies to use a single scope statement to create multiple regulations over time.

The challenge bill would require courts to award attorney fees and costs to plaintiffs who successfully challenge unlawful administrative rules.

“This veto is telling of the Democrat approach,” Bradley said. “We can protect public safety and our state without burying Wisconsinites under layers of unnecessary red tape. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to bring accountability to our unelected bureaucrats.”