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Constitutional amendment would do away with state treasurer

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If a majority of voters approve, the office of Wisconsin state treasurer would be eliminated under a constitutional amendment on Tuesday's ballot.

The office has been around since before Wisconsin was a state. But its duties have shrunk in recent years, leading to the push to do away with the office altogether.

Proponents of eliminating the office say it's worth it to save taxpayers the $70,000 salary for the position and the $227,000 biannual cost of running the office.

But opponents say the position should be retained and strengthened to be a financial watchdog.

The Legislature put the question on the ballot. If it's rejected, the next treasurer will be elected in November. If the amendment is adopted, the office would go away at the end of this year.