MILWAUKEE, WI – Last night Senator Dora Drake hosted her first Budget Listening Session with fellow representatives Darrin Madison, Sequanna Taylor, and Russell Goodwin at the Villard Square Library. Here the Senator and her colleagues outlined Governor Evers’ proposal and the historic investments to support our children and lower costs for Wisconsin Working Families.
Some of the key highlights of the budget that resonated with constituents included:
- Investment in Public Education and School Facility Infrastructure
o Universal School Breakfast and Lunch
o Providing Clean Drinking Water and Removing Lead Pipes from Schools
o Increasing Special Education Funding
- Lowering Costs
- Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Removing the sales tax on with electricity and everyday household and over-the-counter items
- Healthcare
- Expanding Badgercare Access
- Lowering Drug Costs
- Expanding eligibility for postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months
While constituents expressed appreciation for the Governor’s Budget, many expressed concerns about services being held up by the legislature and not making it towards communities. Senator Dora Drake has provided the following statement following the event.
“On top of my constituents already being filled with uncertainty with cuts from federal programs, they are tired of the lack of action from the State Legislature in funding critical programs. We have an opportunity to use the surplus funds to provide meaningful tax relief for Wisconsinites and put investments that will impact their everyday lives. I am urging my Republican colleagues to put aside partisan politics and come to the table to make a budget that works for all Wisconsinites.”
Senator Drake’s next listening session will be next Saturday, March 22nd, at 10:00 a.m. in collaboration with Congresswoman Gwen Moore at the North Shore Public Library at 6800 N Port Washington Avenue in Glendale, WI.
