Governor's Budget Sessions

Wisconsin's 2024 fiscal year ended with a budget surplus of $4.6 billion.

Governor Evers will hold a series of public input sessions in December as he puts together his next budget for 2025-27. While past Evers budgets have been pretty much DOA because of the  hyperpartisan gerrymandering that has given Republicans outsized control of the state Assembly and Senate for the last decade, recent map updates have started to change the balance of control. This may mean this budget proposal could actually be considered in the legislature.

Its hard to say how much real participant input makes it to the Governor's ears and how much these events are mostly for show, but it can't hurt to flood the space with progressive priorities.

The La Crosse session is WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Northside Elementary School, 1611 Kane St. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/governor-evers-la-crosse-budget-listening-session-tickets-1054140004129

To attend the virtual session on December 16 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtduqpqTgoE9Pizvu2wqHuwv84YCkT_OdI#/registration

If you attend a session, please ask the Governor to 

1. Expand Medicaid coverage  Invest in health care sector education and training. Support long-term care. Invest in better mental health services.

2. Move public transportation back into the state transportation budget. It was removed to the general fund last session by Republicans meaning transit, a most important tool for increasing equity and reducing carbon emissions is now competing with every other thing.

3. Reinstate Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) which allow counties to form governmental bodies with taxing authority to start and support regional public transit systems. We had RTAs for a brief moment until Republicans took them away. Read more about it  here: https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121196218.html

4. Support environmental protection - funding for PFAS and lead remediation, reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, doubling down on and speeding up programs and policies that promote a quick clean energy transition.  Read more from Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

5. Revamp, expand, and fund a robust State Climate Action office (emphasis on ACTION).

6. Increase state aids for schools, including free meals for all school children.Support affordable childcare.

7. Send your suggestions and we will add them here.