(The Center Square) – Openness and transparency is now an issue in Wisconsin’s race for governor.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who is one of seven Democratic candidates for the state’s top seat, last week said she would craft a new state budget in secret to avoid Democratic opposition if she is elected in November.
“I have committed to having a budget done before I swear in, and we are going to do this, we are going to do our negotiations behind a curtain so that we are not doing a circular firing squad within the Democratic Party,” Rodrigez said. “We have got to make a difference in people’s lives. We have got to be on the same page.”
Channel 12 broke the story, and on Wednesday, most of Rordiguez’s Democratic opponents responded.
“Latest reminder to everyone that sunshine is the best disinfectant,” Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, said. “Backroom deals are NOT the way to deliver progress for Wisconsinites. Democracy delivers best when it’s transparent and inclusive of everyone in the state.”
“As the only person in the race with experience creating budgets, this sounds like hiding from the people, and that is unacceptable. I have never created or signed a budget in secret. I have done it in the open with town halls, public input, and real transparency because it is your money and you deserve a say,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
Former Department of Administration secretary Joel Brennan also joined the fray.
“I helped build two budgets with Gov. [Tony] Evers, and I can tell you, it’s one of the hardest and most important things a governor does. You’re balancing the demands of every state agency and every community across the state, all while the clock is ticking and people are counting on you to get it right,” Brennan said on X. “You don’t get a good budget by hiding it from the people it’s supposed to serve.”
Republican Tom Tiffany also slammed Rodriguez’s comments.
“@saraforwi said she will negotiate her budget “behind a curtain” because moderate Democrats will struggle with her ideas,” Tiffany wrote on X. “You deserve transparency. Listening sessions will be held across Wisconsin during the budget process. I won’t govern in secrecy.”
Rodriguez later tried to clarify, and said she is simply trying to be ready to go as soon as she is sworn in.
“My commitment is simple: be ready on Day One as governor to deliver a state budget that reflects our values and priorities,” she added.
Rodriguez’s focus on working with Democratic leaders behind the scenes is also a bit of a criticism of how Gov. Tony Evers crafted three of his four state budget.
Evers routinely worked on a budget on his own, then delivered his spending plan to lawmakers. A number of Democratic lawmakers didn’t like that approach.
Democratic legislative leaders did have more say in the current budget, but that was because Republicans needed Democratic votes to get the plan through the Assembly and Senate.
