Kaukauna hosts first budget listening session
Dr. Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Public Education, as well as other public-school administrators, stressed the critical need to increase public school funding, especially for special education.
Everything from early childhood education to public education to healthcare was on the minds of citizens who showed up to express their concerns at the first of four Joint Finance Committee budget listening sessions on April 2.
A full house was on hand for the all-day session at Kaukauna High School to make their priorities known before the Wisconsin Biennial Budget is passed in July. Each citizen got two minutes to talk.
Many service organizations advocated for increased funding or grants. Advocates for Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Public Radio/TV, and other non-profits also asked for consideration in the budget.
Early childhood educators, childcare providers, adult caregivers, and health care providers reminded legislators of the great demand for their services as well as how prohibitive the costs for those services are. They further noted that the low pay makes it difficult to attract and retain employees.
Right, Todd Timm, Hortonville District Administrator, addresses the Joint Finance Committee at Kaukauna High School.
Mayors and other municipal leaders expressed the need for greater shared revenue and infrastructure funding. Advocates stressed the need for expanded rail services. Citizens advocated for environmental issues, including clean water initiatives and the Knowles-Nelson Fund which helps municipalities fund green space.
Dr. Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Public Education, as well as other public-school administrators, stressed the critical need to increase public school funding, especially for special education. School districts who shared this message with the committee included Kaukauna, Appleton, Weyauwega-Fremont, Green Bay, Suamico, Neenah, DeForest, and Hortonville. Several citizens supported free, universal school breakfast and lunch for all students.
Currently the state funds only around 30 percent of special ed needs.
Public school advocates were concerned not only about the cost but the lack of transparency and accountability for the voucher program to private schools. Notre Dame Academy and Grace Catholic thanked the committee for their support of the Parental Choice Program.
Several speakers addressed the understaffing and underfunding of the Wisconsin legal system, reinforcing the shortage of courts, judges, civil legal aid providers, support staff, and public defenders, all which they argued should be addressed in the budget.
The Biennial Budget is the most important bill to be passed into law during the two-year legislative session. Once approved, the budget bill will impact the lives of every Wisconsin citizen in some way.
Members of the public may contact their elected representatives, members of the JFC, or the Governor with comments on the budget.
The remaining three listening sessions will be held in West Allis on April 4; Hayward on April 28; and Wausau on April 29. More information and to submit comments online go to the JFC website.
Governor Evers presented his Executive Budget in February. Once the budget is passed out of the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), it will be debated in the Assembly and House. From there it is delivered to the Governor for his signature, to be vetoed, or partially vetoed. If a new budget is not passed by July 1, the state continues operating under the previous budget.
