Madison, WI — Yesterday, State Senator Jesse James (R-Thorp) voted in favor of the bi-partisan state budget. Governor Evers signed the budget, now Act 15, into law early this morning.
State Senator James welcomed the efforts of the Joint Committee on Finance, and emphasized the budget provisions that he authored and advocated for.
“This is an incredible day for Wisconsin, the 23rd Senate District, and the rest of the Chippewa Valley,” said Senator James. “This budget process has been a challenge, but I am very happy with the final result. I was grateful that my legislative colleagues agreed to support me in my priorities: mental health and fighting for our youth.”
The items Senator James authored included:
- $1.79m to establish psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs) in Wisconsin
- $819k to create a statewide portal to share minor safety plans during mental health crises
- $7m to fund the 988 suicide hotline
- $10m to build a behavioral health hospital in the Chippewa Valley
- $1m to renovate and reopen substance abuse treatment services in Chippewa Falls
- $4m to increase the funding for child advocacy centers (CACs), supporting kids who have been abused or neglected
- $7m to tele-mental health services for UW System schools
- $5.5m to Boys and Girls Club
- $1m to Jobs for America’s Graduates
- $1.5m to the Positive Parenting Program
- $32.7m to the Department of Children and Families to modernize their child support IT software
- $2m to help recruit and license childcare providers
- $250k to expand the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Family Medicine Residency Program and add specialties in behavioral health and substance abuse in Eau Claire
- $20m to the county circuit courts
- $16m in bonding authority for renovate UW-Stout’s Rec Building
- $500k to recovery high schools, specializing in substance abuse recovery
- $10m to establish a grant program for food banks to obtain fresh produce
- $200k to maintain mental health programming for farmers
- $200k to Special Olympics Wisconsin
- $500k to help farmers improve soil and water quality
- $800k to increase crop insurance premium rebates for planting cover crops
Additionally, Senator James was grateful to see four bills he authored: SB 106 (PRTFs), SB 108 (Minor Safety Plans), SB 232 (CACs), and SB 283 (hearing protection devices for police and fire agencies) signed into law yesterday morning. Each of these important initiatives received funding through the state budget.
“I am ecstatic that this budget is making a difference for my constituents. I will never stop fighting for our youth, mental health, and north-central Wisconsin.” Senator James added.
