MADISON – Today, the Wisconsin State Senate took up the 2021-23 biennial budget bill. Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason) released the following statement:
“Although I never taught Junior High School, voting for this budget brought to mind what it must feel like when a teacher gives out a grade of D-. It’s a passing grade, but just barely. Despite the great example they had in Governor Evers’ Badger Bounce Back Budget, the Republicans have managed to do the bare minimum. At this pivotal time in our history, Wisconsin needs a courageous, visionary budget that invest in our future. This GOP budget is not that. It is unfortunate, a sad day, a missed opportunity for our state.
Republican legislators are already out crowing about their budget. The truth is that this isn’t anything they should be proud of, nothing to take home and post on the family refrigerator. Don’t take my word for it, ask the people in your community that educate our children, that care for our elderly neighbors, the dedicated people who protect our streets and respond to our emergency calls. Ask the mental health professionals who look after those in crisis, the medical professionals who treat the uninsured, and all the people who will have to continue to wait for broadband access. I trust the Governor will use his veto pen wisely and I know my Democratic colleagues and I will continue to fight for our shared priorities.”