MADISON – State Senator Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) released the following statement after Governor Tony Evers’ announcement that he would be calling a Special Session of the Legislature for Wednesday, September 20th to address Wisconsin’s workforce challenges:
“I am grateful for Governor Evers’ commitment to supporting the Wisconsin workforce through affordable child care, paid family medical leave, investments in our higher education institutions, and supporting high-demand workforce sectors. His plan to use our state’s unprecedented surplus to address these vital issues is needed to keep Wisconsin’s workforce strong.
“The proposals included in this Special Session stem from the unfinished work of the 2023-25 Biennial Budget. The Republicans refused to act on these critical issues facing our state and now is the time for them to make up for their earlier mistakes.
“We heard from desperate business owners and parents who are facing an absolute crisis. Businesses need this investment to keep their doors open, pay their staff a living wage, and keep daycare costs low for their parents. This investment helps keep more people in the workforce by lifting the burden of finding child care.
“As Governor Evers said, we must work together so that we can bolster our state’s workforce, maintain our economic momentum, and make the right decisions for Wisconsin. I call on my Republican colleagues to heed the Governor’s call and take action on these critical issues. I look forward to getting to work on September 20th.”
