The Wisconsin State Budget can make real change A state budget that prioritizes racial equity is possible. And now is the time to make sure your voice is heard in this process. Wisconsin residents have the opportunity to provide written comments on the priorities that are most important to you. The Joint Finance Committee is accepting comments until 12 noon tomorrow, Friday April 30th (links and instructions are below). Governor Evers has proposed a state budget that invests in the fundamental building blocks for Wisconsin’s growth and future prosperity – our children, families, schools, health, and equitable communities. We invite you to join us in advocating for those provisions that begin to remove systemic barriers that prevent families of color and those farthest from opportunity from thriving. To build a more equitable economy, Wisconsin’s children, families and communities need the following budget proposals to succeed (Read our analysis of these priorities below): - Investments to reduce significant racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, to address social determinants of health, and to combat lead poisoning;
- Expanding BadgerCare to improve access to health care for low-wage Wisconsinites and making health insurance more affordable;
- Providing a large and long overdue increase in general equalization aid for public schools, as well as targeted increases for special education, rural schools, and education of English learners;
- Making significant reforms in the corrections system, including returning 17-year-olds to the juvenile justice system;
- Investing in a more equitable future, by providing much-needed increases in child care and early education funding;
- Removing barriers to work and community involvement by allowing all people, regardless of their immigration status, to obtain driver licenses;
- Putting more money into the pockets of Wisconsin residents with low incomes, by increasing targeted income tax and property tax credits; and
- Directing state agencies to determine how current government policies and practices impact people of color and individuals with disabilities.
Make Your Voice Heard - Share Your Budget Priorities - Submit Written Comments by Friday 4/30 at 12 noon - You may submit written comments on the budget at any time on the Joint Finance Committee Public Comment website at: legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments. These comments are downloaded every day so this can be a timely way to share your budget priorities.
- You also have the option to email your comments to the committee at [email protected].
- Share your budget priorities with your State Assembly Representative and State Senator. You may email them, or contact their office and ask to schedule a call with your legislator or their staff. To find contact information for your legislators, you can call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-362-9472 or use the “Who Are My Legislators?” on Wisconsin State Legislature Home Page.
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