Contact: Rep. Joan Ballweg (888) 534-0041
Madison…State Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) voted with her Assembly colleagues to approve the 2017-2019 state budget on Wednesday. This $76 billion budget includes a historic $639 million in K-12 funding.
“School districts in the 41st Assembly District will directly benefit from this budget.” said Ballweg. “Low spending school districts, including 8 from my district, will have new flexibilities to budget per pupil funding over the next 5 years.”
The budget also includes support for disproportionate share hospitals and critical care facilities that serve a disproportionately high level of Medicaid patients. In the 41st Assembly District, ThedaCare in Berlin, Moundview Memorial in Friendship, and the Ripon Medical Center will receive increased funding.
“These facilities provide care for some of the most vulnerable in our district, so I am proud to support additional funding for this program,” said Ballweg.
In addition, property taxes will once again be lower than they were in 2010 and 2014, we increased funding for local bridges and roads, and we invested millions more in workforce training. These reforms continue to make Wisconsin desirable for investment and business opportunities. We did all of this without raising sales and income taxes.
“This budget is balanced and protects Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Ballweg. ”We maintain the largest rainy day fund in state history and will end the budget with a nearly $200 million balance.”
The budget bill will now head to the state senate for consideration before going to Governor Walker to be signed into law.
