MADISON, WI – Today, the Assembly passed a $2 billion Middle Class Tax Cut, increased the Childcare Tax Credit by nearly $150 million, and expanded childcare capacity in “childcare deserts” across Wisconsin. Rep. Plumer voted in favor of this legislation:
“We continued efforts today in the Assembly to address rising prices and the cost and availability of childcare,” said Rep. Plumer. “This was the Special Session called by Governor Evers. I sincerely hope he quits playing politics, signs the special session bill into law, and joins us in supporting our workforce and providing relief for Wisconsin families trying to afford childcare.”
In addition to the Special Session bill, the Assembly passed numerous reforms to help address mental health issues:
∙ AB 207 – Allows Wisconsin to join the interstate counseling compact, which removes unnecessary red-tape and makes it easier for counselors to move to Wisconsin and provide counseling services. Attracting more counselors to the state will help expand access.
∙ AB 251 – Allows marriage and family therapists to receive licenses to provide services in Wisconsin schools. This will help increase the number of available licensed therapists to address student mental health
∙ AB 541 – Allows patients in Wisconsin to access mental healthcare via tele-health (video conferencing) from mental healthcare providers even if they are physically located outside of the state. The changes allow them to “operate” in Wisconsin, providing additional options for patients.
∙ AB 566 – Require the Department of Health Services to provide suicide prevention grants to local mental health organizations.
∙ AB 573 – Provides additional assistance for law enforcement when dealing with mental health related incidents.
“The bills passed today get rid of government red-tape, increase mental healthcare capacity, and direct state departments to provide additional mental health funding,” added Rep. Plumer. “They are another step forward in our ongoing work to address mental health issues in Wisconsin.”
