The pandemic has affected industries and groups of people in Wisconsin differently. As a result of that, we have come up with a series of bills that use the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds to invest in multiple industries in Wisconsin as they recover.
Aid to Households: Send a payment directly to all property taxpayers based on 10% of their property tax payment
Small Business Assistance: $200 million for small business grants
Tourism Assistance: $50 million for tourism grants and $25 million for advertising grants for amusement parks
Rural Economic Development & Farmer Assistance: $50 million for rural economic development grants and $50 million for farmer support funds
Long-term Care Assistance: $150 million for grants for nursing homes and assisted living facilities and worker bonuses
Strengthen Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund: Requires the use of recovery funds to keep UI taxes at lowest tax schedule
Local Road Funding: $308 million to give $2 million per county and $2,000 per road mile to cities, villages and towns for road improvements
Broadband Expansion: $500 million in broadband expansion grants
EMS and Mental Health: $68.2 million for EMS technology upgrades and a psychiatric hospital in Eau Claire
Debt Repayment: $250 million to pay down state debt and $250 million to pay off transportation revenue bonds
Clean Water Investments: $61 million for water infrastructure projects
I believe this bill package reflects the priorities of my constituents and I know that they will make a major impact while we continue to recover from the pandemic. I encourage Governor Evers to sign these bills and take our recommendations seriously.
Joint Finance Virtual Public Hearing
The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) will continue our Roadshow Public Hearings over the next two weeks. Next week, we will hold hearings in Rhinelander and Menomonie. The following week we will return to Madison to hold a completely virtual public hearing.
Wednesday, April 28
10am-5pm
Virtual
If you are interested in participating in the virtual hearing, I encourage you to register to do so. Registration for the virtual public hearing will open on Monday, April 19 at 10am on this page. Registration will close on Monday, April 26 at 5pm. Registrations will be taken on a first come-first served basis.
If you do not wish to participate in the hearing but would like to listen to the other participants, you can tune into WisconsinEye.
Lastly, if you are unavailable on Wednesday, April 28 but would like to express your thoughts to the committee, you may submit budget comments by emailing budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or filling out this online form.
Listening to YOU
This week I hosted three Budget Town Halls to listen to you and your priorities for our Wisconsin budget.
If you missed the Town Halls, you can share general comments and questions with my office by emailing Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov. You can also share your budget priorities by completing by 2021 Spring Survey. The survey began to hit mailboxes this week and can be returned by mail or completed on my website.
Contacting My Office
My capitol office is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact me or my staff. We are always ready to assist you.
