Opinion ID: 2060173
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Does sec. 234.30, Stats., compel payment of state funds in violation of art. VIII, sec. 2, Wisconsin Constitution?

Text: Art. VIII, sec. 2, Wisconsin Constitution, provides: ... No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by law.... Sec. 234.30, Stats., provides: Cooperation. The heads of all departments, boards, councils, committees and commissions in the administrative branch, and the heads of the various divisions, sections and departments thereunder, shall extend their full and unlimited cooperation, including but not limited to the providing of personnel and facilities, to the authority. Sec. 234.30, Stats., does not contemplate that any moneys shall be paid out of the state treasury to the Authority. Sec. 234.30 authorizes a pledge of state administrative cooperation to the Authority in recognition of its public purpose. Respondents do not contend that the funds appropriated to these various governmental agencies have been made contrary to law or that cooperation with the Authority is in excess of their expressed powers. Although the designated state agencies receive state appropriations, the authorization of their cooperation with the Authority does not constitute an appropriation to the Authority in contravention of art. VIII, sec. 2, Wisconsin Constitution.