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 June 24, 2019
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Why I Am Voting for the Budget

Many of you may have noticed that I did not send out an e-update on Friday. This is because I wanted to take the opportunity to look forward and discuss an important vote that I will soon be taking on the Wisconsin state budget.

I am very pleased with the budget that I put together with my colleagues on the Joint Committee on Finance. We traveled the state and heard from over 40,000 people through surveys and listening sessions and found that it is possible to achieve your goals without raising taxes.

We made important investments in the priorities of Wisconsin citizens including:

  • Increasing school funding by $500 million and provide the same per pupil increase that the Governor proposed.
  • Increasing the funding for nursing homes, personal care workers and direct care workers to ensure that we take care of Wisconsin's vulnerable populations.
  • Increasing investments in both the UW-System and technical colleges, while continuing the tuition freeze.
  • Making targeted investments in workforce training programs to connect more skilled workers with employers.
  • Increasing local road aids while maintaining the lowest level of borrowing since 2001.

Because these investments were made in a fiscally responsible manner, we were also able to provide Wisconsin taxpayers with an income tax cut of nearly $500 million, targeted to the middle class.

I will proudly vote YES when the budget comes to the floor for a vote. A vote in favor of this budget is a vote in favor of Wisconsin's kids, families, businesses and future.

As always, I encourage you to follow my updates on social media or contact my office directly with your questions.

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Protecting the Unborn

On Thursday I attended a pro-life demonstration to show Governor Evers how important the legislation passed earlier this session is to the people of Wisconsin.

Speaker Vos and Senate President Roth both signed a total of four bills that were passed as part of an overall pro-life package. Among the provisions in this package are the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act, which requires a provider present at the time of a failed abortion to provide the same level of professional care to the surviving child as they would to any other child; and the Sex Selective, Genetic Disorder Abortion Ban which bans abortions from being performed solely due to the race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, or potential diagnosis of a congenital disability of the unborn child.

In addition to the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act, and the Sex Selective, Genetic Disorder Abortion Ban, the package also contained the Woman’s Right to Know Act to ensure that any woman who is prescribed an abortion pill regimen understands that she may still be able to save her baby, and a guarantee that taxpayer funds will not subsidize abortion providers in any way.

These bills were then sent to the Governor's desk for signature and, unfortunately, Governor Evers chose to veto these bills, acting against the sanctity of life and the will of the legislature and the people.

I voted for this package because it is a common sense and comprehensive approach to saving lives in Wisconsin. I will continue to do everything in my power to decrease the number of abortions performed in Wisconsin.


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Increasing the Rainy Day Fund

The Budget Stabilization "Rainy Day" Fund balance will see a projected transfer of $291 million. Currently sitting at $326 million, the transfer will nearly double the fund to a record high of $617 million by the end of the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

The fund has grown significantly in the last decade under Republican leadership and is used to protect the state in case there’s a downturn in the economy.

Thanks to a great economy and good budgeting, we can continue to put money into the rainy day fund, and this budget allows for the largest investment into the Budget Stabilization Fund in state history.


Office of Rep. Terry Katsma
State Capitol, Room 306 East
PO Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708

Toll-Free (888) 529-0026 or (608) 266-0656
Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov |