In his first proposed biennial budget, Gov. Evers’ lifts up working families in many ways. Outlined in Evers’ People’s Budget are plans to raise wages, strengthen union freedoms, invest in public schools, end partisan gerrymandering, secure clean drinking water and more.
This budget is about creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone. Here are some of the ways the People’s Budget reverses the harm done to our state under Scott Walker, moves our state forward, and helps working families get ahead.
Repeal of Right to Work
The full repeal of Right to Work is a step towards restoring union rights in Wisconsin. Strengthening union freedoms will build a healthier middle class with good wages and contracts.
Restore Prevailing Wage and Project Labor Agreements
Restoring prevailing wage and the right to a project labor agreement will help grow our economy with family-supporting jobs while ensuring construction projects are safely completed on time and on budget. This move will better secure resources for training and apprenticeship programs.
Raise Wages
Gov. Evers’ Budget calls for raising the minimum wage, increasing starting pay for corrections officers, and tax breaks for working families.
Fund Schools
Gov. Evers’ Budget is good for kids, calling for more money to fund our neighborhood public schools, significant increases in funding for special education and a freeze on the spread of unaccountable voucher schools.
Strengthen Democracy
With the creation of a Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission to draw electoral maps, Gov. Evers’ Budget calls for an end to partisan gerrymandering
Healthy Communities
Gov. Evers’ Budget calls for funding the replacement of lead water services to keep our families safe -- much of this work is done by skilled union trades men and women who care deeply about the health of our water systems.
The People’s Budget calls for expanding BadgerCare by accepting federal funds. This move makes fiscal sense and is long overdue.
The Budget makes investments in both mental health and substance abuse including funding for youth crisis centers and peer-run respite centers for veterans.
Fixing Roads
Wisconsin roads rank some of the worst in the nation. The budget recommends a long-term plan to responsibly pay for our roads and decrease borrowing.
Dementia Care
The budget expands the dementia care specialist program to all Aging and Disability Resource Centers throughout the state.
Restoring Local Control
With the goal to increase workforce fairness, the budget restores the ability of local governments to come together and decide what’s best for them in terms of family and medical leave, wage claims, employee benefit, overtime and salary history ordinances.
What’s Next?
We look forward to working with Governor Tony Evers to complete the reversal of each and every one of the attacks on working people from the previous administration. This includes restoring the full breadth of all collective bargaining rights to public sector workers and their unions. This budget doesn’t give us everything we want, but it is a huge step forward in the right direction.
It is now up to the majority in the legislature to stop partisan posturing and get to work on behalf of Wisconsin families.
The Joint Finance Committee will be holding public Budget Hearings around the state. We encourage every working person to attend your local Budget Hearing and make your voice heard on the Budget.
