La Crosse, WI – Today, Rep. Ron Kind is highlighting key funding priorities for fiscal year 2022. Each year, Congress considers several appropriations measures which provide funding for government operations and other activities. The appropriations cycle starts with the President’s budget proposal, and appropriations measures are typically debated and voted on through the spring and summer.
“We must continue to lay a foundation for growth by making smart investments that keep our economy growing and guarantee we out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our global competitors,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I’m proud to support investments that will not only create the jobs of the future but also ensure every Wisconsinite has the tools and skills they need to succeed. I’ll keep working towards a budget blueprint that puts America on a sound fiscal path while simultaneously protecting important investments in our communities.”
Rep. Kind is leading letters calling for funding to:
- Support Rep. Kind’s bill, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, which will help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs combat the opioid epidemic by updating pain management protocols, improving prescribing practices, and advocating for veterans
- Address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination by supporting critical PFAS infrastructure, scientific, regulatory, and cleanup needs
- Support access to high quality health care in rural communities across the nation
- Help states combat the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, which is threatening deer herds across Wisconsin
- Increase access to clean, reliable water for rural households by supporting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Household Water Well System Grant Program
Additionally, Rep. Kind has signed onto letters calling for funding to:
- Provide broadband access in unserved areas through the USDA’s ReConnect Program
- Support the Rural Utilities Service Electric Loan Program to help electric cooperatives provide affordable and reliable service to approximately 42 million people every day
- Support the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which offers assistance with home energy bills
- Improve flood resiliency through pre-disaster mitigation grant programs
- Help low-income students earn a college degree through the Pell Grant program
- Support the Rural Water Circuit Rider Program to aide critical water infrastructure programs that benefit small and rural communities
- Support Manufacturing Extension Partnership programs, which offer small- and medium-sized manufacturers technology-based services and create well-paying manufacturing jobs
