During a year-end press conference, Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) made it clear that it’s unlikely for a medicinal marijuana bill to reach Governor-elect Tony Evers’ desk anytime soon.

The Senator also indicated that he is concerned that the Governor may use the issue to inflate revenue estimates in the upcoming budget.

Reporter:

“Medical Marijuana: That’s something the incoming governor is open to. Is that something the Senate would take a look at?”

Sen. Fitzgerald:

“Nah, I don’t see it. I don’t see the support — I don’t support it. Um, so, I’m not sure — I hope the governor doesn’t come up with some type of fictitious number, throw it out there, and then, you know, expect to, you know, expect us to kind of, with a straight face consider that a balanced budget. I mean there’s concerns about some other areas like that where if you just throw something out there, to develop kind of some cover that it, it’s just, I just don’t see it happening at all.”

The majority leader’s comments are in stark contrast with thirteen county and municipal referendums passed during the midterm election last month. Each of the referendums passed with the support of 67% to 88% of voters in Democratic and Republican-leaning districts. The results show that there is overwhelming bipartisan support for the legalization of medical marijuana.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) is deferring on the issue, saying, “This really is a signal, for me, to have the federal government step in and deal with this issue,” telling The Journal Times, “Whether or not Wisconsin makes a decision on marijuana it’s still a federal crime. So this really needs to be dealt with in Washington.”

Election Results

Brown County: Passed, 75.6%

City of Racine: Passed, 87.6%

City of Waukesha: Passed, 76.6%

Clark County: Passed, 67.1%

Forest County: Passed, 78.7%

Kenosha County: Passed, 88.4%

Langlade County: Passed, 77.3%

Lincoln County: Passed, 80.8%

Marathon County: Passed, 81.5%

Marquette County: Passed, 77.6%

Portage County: Passed, 83.0%

Racine County: Passed, 84.7%

Sauk County: Passed, 79.9%

Contact Your Representative

Your representative’s contact information can be found at the Wisconsin Legislature’s official website. Sen. Fitzgerald and Rep. Vos’ contact information are listed below.

Rep. Robin Vos

Room 217 West, State Capitol

PO Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708

Telephone: (608) 266-9171 or (888) 534-0063

Fax: (608) 282-3663

Email: Rep.Vos@legis.wisconsin.gov

Twitter: @repvos

Sen. Scott Fitzgerald

Room 211 South, State Capitol

PO Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882

Telephone: (608) 266-5660

Fax: (608) 282-3553

Email: Sen.Fitzgerald@legis.wisconsin.gov

Twitter: @SenFitzgerald