the proposed bill

The position of Treasurer of Wisconsin is a needless waste of our states financial resources. My pledge to you, the people of Wisconsin, is to work with the new Republican Governor and State legislators to pass a constitutional amendment to remove the elected positions of both the Treasurer and The Secretary of State

Read the amendment

SUDER BILL WILL ELIMINATE SECRETARY OF STATE AND STATE TREASURER

NORTHERN LAWMAKER'S CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD SAVE TAXPAYERS NEARLY $3 MILLION

Madison.State Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) unveiled an amendment to the state constitution today aimed at eliminating the offices of Secretary of State and State Treasurer in Wisconsin. The lawmaker called both offices "ceremonial" and "functionless". Suder's amendment will transfer the limited duties of both offices to the Department of Administration.

"Out of no disrespect to the current officeholders, the functions of both offices are largely ceremonial and have very few actual duties any longer, " stated Suder. "The limited duties of both offices could be done more efficiently by the Department of Administration."

Wisconsin's Secretary of State has only four duties under the WI constitution:

To serve as Governor should a vacancy occur in office

Maintaining a fair record of the official acts of the Legislature and Executive department.

Serving as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands

Keeper of the Great Seal of Wisconsin

The State Treasurer has only one duty assigned by the constitution, which is to serve on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

"It makes no sense for taxpayers to continue to spend $2,812,200 to maintain functionless state offices," Suder commented. "State government will certainly not come to a screeching halt without either office."

Currently taxpayers expend $2,108,300 on the State Treasurer's budget and $703,900 to maintain the Secretary of State's office. The Secretary of State and State Treasurer each receive a $62,549 annual salary.

Under Representative Suder's proposal, the Attorney General would replace the Secretary of State in the gubernatorial line of succession and the duties of both offices would be transferred to the Department of Administration. The State Treasurer's sole duty on the Board would be abolished by Suder's amendment. Suder's proposal requires the adoption of two successive Legislatures and must be ratified by referendum by voters before it can become law.

For more information on this proposal or any other legislative issue feel free contact Representative Suder toll-free at (888) 534-0069. You can also keep up with Rep. Suder on line at www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm69/news/index.htm