RODRIGUEZ REPORT

June is off to a powerful start, and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez has been busy. From standing up for working families in the state budget fight to celebrating Pride and uplifting Wisconsin’s small business community, she’s on the move. Catch up on the highlights in this edition of the Rodriguez Report.

Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez has been traveling across Wisconsin to meet with folks about what the state budget means for their everyday lives, especially as Republicans in the legislature moved to gut hundreds of provisions from the Evers-Rodriguez budget plan. At the Outagamie County Democrats’ “Liberty and Justice for All” Dinner in Appleton, she emphasized that the Evers-Rodriguez budget puts first those whom Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have put last: Wisconsin’s farmers, small businesses, workers, kids, and the middle class.

Thank you, Outagamie County Democrats, for hosting Sara last month!

Sara’s reminder comes as Wisconsin Republicans voted to strip more than 600 items from the governor’s budget — including funding for child care, violence prevention, affordable housing, and common-sense gun safety reforms. That’s on top of past efforts to block Medicaid expansion (for the fourth year in a row), eliminate the Office of Violence Prevention, and underfund key programs for families, veterans, and small businesses.

But the administration is not backing down. The Evers-Rodriguez budget is the most pro-kid, pro-family budget in Wisconsin history — with more than $3.15 billion for K-12 schools, $2 billion in middle-class tax relief, $300 million to remove lead from homes and child care centers, and continued funding for the Child Care Counts program. It also makes historic investments in the UW System, rural health care, and protections against PFAS contamination.

Thank you, L.G. Rodriguez and Gov. Evers, for fighting for a budget that lowers costs, protects our communities, and delivers real results for working Wisconsinites!

To mark the end of the Lieutenant Governor's Small Business Academy, Sara joined participants and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in Milwaukee and Kenosha to wish all the small business owners well for the future. She spoke to participants about the support that her administration will continue to provide for Wisconsin small businesses.

Sara joined Rep. Priscilla A. Prado at Bembé Drum & Dance in Milwaukee to learn more about the wonderful programs they offer in the Milwaukee community. They discussed the funding currently being cut for arts and cultural organizations around Wisconsin and how that will impact their services.

As part of Small Business Week, Sara made a special stop in Ripon to tour local businesses and hear directly from entrepreneurs about how the state can support their growth. At Alliance Laundry Systems, she got a behind-the-scenes look at how their industrial machines are made and spoke with staff about the company’s role in Wisconsin’s manufacturing economy.

Cheering on students for the Menasha All-City Grade School Track & Field Wellness Day.

Congratulations to the newly pinned nurses from Green Bay! Sara joined them to celebrate this incredible occasion and to congratulate them on officially being recognized as nurses.

Sara joined a press conference with SEUI in support of Madison health care workers and their fight for union recognition at Group Health Cooperative. She spoke about the critical role frontline workers play and the need to protect their rights, safety, and voices.

The Trump administration is gutting funding for libraries all over the country, including the Columbus Public Library here in Wisconsin. It is crucial that libraries all over our state are given the proper funding they need to continue their work.

Sara had a great conversation with Madison Children’s Museum leadership and staff about their work in the area. She toured the many different educational exhibits and activities they provide and discussed the uncertainty they are experiencing with federal funding.

Wisconsin has a new troll! Sara joined the Wauwatosa community to officially open Firefly Grove Park which holds a Thomas Dambo troll named Mama Rosa. Make your way over to Wauwatosa to meet Mama Rosa!

Sara stopped at Erin Hills Golf Course to present the USGA and Erin Hills staff with a Certificate of Commendation to celebrate their hard work and dedication hosting the US Women’s Open.

On Memorial Day, Sara joined the Waukesha community to recognize the service members who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. May we honor their memory and sacrifice every day of the year.

Lastly — happy Pride Month, Wisconsin! On Friday, the administration gathered to raise the Pride flag above the State Capitol and celebrate Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ community.

• Lieutenant governor visits Shell Lake - Advocate

• Lt. Gov. visits with Sawyer Alliance representatives - Sawyer County Record

• Lt. Gov. Rodriguez visits Phillips - Price County Review

• Lt. governor visits Ripon - Ripon Press

• Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez visits Pump House of Regional Arts Center - News 8 Now

• Wisconsin's lieutenant governor visits with Dane County organizations to address funding concerns - WKOW

• Lt. Governor discusses impact of federal cuts on local libraries and museums - News 8000

• Lt. Gov. visits with Sawyer Alliance representatives - Sawyer County Record

• Meriter nurses threaten strike, GHC workers call for union recognition - The Cap Times

• Progress Pride Flag raised over Wisconsin State Capitol - MSN

That’s it for this edition of the Rodriguez Report, John! If you want latest updates from Sara and the rest of Team Rodriguez, be sure to follow us on social media and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss a thing:  

We’re so grateful for your support, and we can’t wait to share more about what Sara’s up to in the weeks and months ahead.

Talk soon!

- Team Rodriguez