Reps. Chris Taylor and Evan Goyke: Demand Republicans restore Medicaid expansion to state budget
Who could be against increasing Medicaid eligibility to 82,000 Wisconsinites, drawing down $1.6 billion in needed federal funds and saving $324 million in state funds? Certainly not the people of this state, as a recent Marquette University Law School Poll showed 70% of Wisconsinites support Medicaid expansion. [Wisconsin State Journal, 5/7/19]
Dear Neighbors,
It’s almost summer! The nice weather is making it hard to spend all day inside debating the State Budget in the Joint Committee on Finance. This update has important information on the State Budget, the most important bill the Legislature will debate this year.
To also provide more news and daily updates, I post frequently on my official Facebook page. I hope it helps keep you informed. Please feel free to visit my page here. This session I'm expanding my use of twitter as well. This is a link to my twitter page.
I hope this e-update is helpful. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-0645. I welcome any feedback or ideas you may have. As always, please let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.
Evan Goyke State Representative 18th Assembly District
Joint Finance Committee Update: Budget Deliberations Begin
The Budget deliberations began on May 9th and the first vote was an unprecedented move by the Republicans – removing 131 items from the Governor’s budget. This motion denied the expansion of Medicaid and removed over $1 billion in revenues and spending from the Governor’s budget. This party-line maneuver has set the tone during the budget debate. Click on the photo below to watch my comments in opposition to this unprecedented move:
Joint Finance Committee Update: Lead Laterals
Over the course of the budget debate, the majority party has made changes in ways that disproportionately harm Milwaukee. One of the worst so far has been the removal of $40 Million that Governor Evers budgeted to help fund the removal of lead lateral sewer lines. Like many of you, I too have a lead lateral servicing my home. To raise awareness of this important issue I brought a glass of water from my house – and offered my Republican colleagues a sip. No one took me up on the offer…
Joint Finance Committee Update: Education
Before being elected Governor, Tony Evers was a teacher, a principal, a district administrator, and the statewide superintendent of schools. Wisconsin has never had a Governor with more experience in Education policy. The Governor’s Education Budget reflected his incredible experience with a proposed increase of $1.4 Billion, including historic investments in early childhood education, English language learners, and Special Education. Unfortunately, the Republicans on the committee removed $900 Million from the Governor’s proposal, investing fewer resources than they did two years ago under Governor Walker. Below are some of my comments during the education budget debate:
The Joint Finance Committee has also debated the UW System, Department of Natural Resources, Technical Colleges, Criminal Justice and Corrections, Workforce Development, and many more. Up next will be Health Care, Department of Children and Families and Transportation – all in the coming weeks, so stay tuned on Twitter and Facebook for real time updates.
District Listening Sessions
It was nice to see some familiar faces at my 18th district Budget Listening Sessions! Thank you to all that attended. If you didn’t have a chance to attend and have any questions or comments about the budget process or specific items, please contact my office at 608-237-9118.
Washington Park Senior Center
Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church
Expungement Update
I am happy to announce that AB 33, our expungement bill, passed the Assembly with widespread support. We are working hard to get it to the Governor’s desk as soon as possible.
Pictures from Madison
Capitol City Sunday - click picture for link
I was honored to appear on Capitol City Sunday alongside my friend and colleague Rep. Michael Schraa. We talked about our plans for criminal justice reform, prison reform and our work on the Corrections Committee.
Visitors to the Capitol
I welcomed constituents from the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network to the Capitol to discuss Medicaid expansion, transportation, and other issues that affect the aging.
The Goyke Report
Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church 
