MADISON, WI – Today, the CAP Times published an op-ed by Democratic Leader Senator Dianne Hesselbein detailing Wisconsin Democrats’ plan to build an affordable Wisconsin. As families and individuals across the state struggle with rising costs, from utility bills to groceries, Democrats have focused on creating a blueprint that can be implemented on day one.

Senator Hesselbein highlights the 68,000 Wisconsin households facing an average utility debt of more than $1,000. She argues that a necessary first step toward easing that burden is opening up the right of first refusal.

Read More on Democrats’ plan to address rising utility costs and create a Wisconsin that works for everyone: 

CAP Times: Wisconsin Democrats are focused on affordability

“Diesel and gas prices have hit record highs in Wisconsin. Gas prices have continued to surge. Diesel prices are emptying farmers’ and truckers’ wallets.

Since Trump took office, average household electricity costs in Wisconsin have increased by 7.95%. Without a doubt, our state and country are facing an energy crisis.

This is why Wisconsin Senate Democrats rolled out a new affordability agenda to tackle one of the biggest issues voters are concerned about: lowering costs. Our plan includes a range of issues, from affordable childcare to rising healthcare costs to feeding Wisconsinites. With inflation at 3.8% due to rising energy costs, families need our help now more than ever.

Wisconsin Senate Democrats are committed to the principle that Wisconsin energy jobs belong to Wisconsin residents, just as we recognize the urgent need to modernize our power grid. Our goal is to break through the partisan stalemates in Madison, lower energy expenses for everyone in our state and ensure Wisconsin stays on course toward a more cost-effective future.

Our affordability agenda includes policies that would make data centers pay their fair share and require clean energy use, boost utility spending on energy-efficiency and clean-energy programs and expand low-income energy assistance for hardworking families.

From Racine to Rhinelander, the concerns we hear from Wisconsinites remain consistent. This affordability agenda addresses fundamental issues that affect every corner of our state, making it a plan that truly deserves bipartisan support.

These are the real-world challenges that affect everyday people. Eighty-four percent of voters nationwide are concerned about the cost of electricity. Last year, more than 68,000 Wisconsin households faced an average utility debt of over a thousand dollars. It is the responsibility of elected officials to present a plan that will alleviate the mounting anxieties of families and small businesses, not worsen them.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin Republicans have consistently backed initiatives to dismantle clean energy projects that would have lowered costs for residents and created thousands of jobs. They have blocked right-of-first-refusal protections for our local utility providers, which are essential to modernizing and reinforcing our energy grid and to ensuring investments and jobs remain in Wisconsin.

This includes gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tom Tiffany, who continues to support Trump’s expensive agenda at every turn despite the costs they have imposed on the people of Wisconsin and our nation.

Trump campaigned on a promise to cut energy costs in half and to put “America First,” but he has broken both of his promises to the American people. Thanks to him and his enabling Republican allies, gas prices are skyrocketing. The worst part is Republicans are not only still backing Trump, they are also gaslighting us into thinking everything is fine.

Wisconsin Democrats want to change this. We have a clear vision for Wisconsin, and if elected this November, will tirelessly defend our shared values and uplift working families.”