MADISON — Today, Democrats on the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) prepared to make investments to train the workforce through the UW System and support local communities to reduce barriers for workers to participate in the workforce. Instead, Republicans further showcased their reluctance to invest in the UW System despite its proven economic power. Additionally, Republicans showed no interest in supporting workers who rely on transit to make it to work.
Four months ago, Gov. Evers provided a blueprint for reducing barriers to contribute to the economy through the workforce. Meanwhile, Republicans squabbling over cultural wars prevents them from serving Wisconsin.
After today’s executive session, the Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance issued the following statement:
“The devastating actions made by Republicans today will only intensify our workforce crisis. We have the opportunity to invest in our workers and make Wisconsin a welcoming place for anyone eager to work hard. Actions in this Committee determine the future of our state, and Republicans are deliberately jeopardizing that future. Today, Republicans put our transit systems on the chopping block in future budgets by removing their access to dedicated transportation funding. That is not a path to a robust economy; it’s a step toward increasing hardship and economic inequity.
“At a time when employers are begging us to invest in infrastructure that will support the workforce like transit, child care, technical college training, and the UW System — Republicans are ignoring all of those pleas heard in every corner of the state. Their inaction will intensify the workforce shortage putting further unnecessary strain on small businesses who need workers.
“Democrats will continue to prioritize making investments to support the workforce.”
