It has been an unimaginable past twelve months since the nation and the state of Wisconsin came to a standstill to begin what would be the worst crisis to hit the country in over a hundred years. COVID-19 has killed over 540,000 Americans and over 7,000 Wisconsinites. This loss will reverberate across families, communities, states, and the nation for decades and decades to come. The loss of life has been beyond our worst nightmare, and the rippling impact of the pandemic has indelibly marked children’s and families’ health, economic well-being, and education.

Although what is to come in the current year has yet to be seen with respect to family well-being, 2021 is also when Wisconsin will be deciding its state budget for the next biennium. We intend to use this time to create coalitions that fuel a morally responsible budget, capable of alleviating the hardship being born by so many Wisconsin families. Our goal goes beyond a return to the pre-pandemic economy.

Read the full report.