State Rep. Dora Drake’s Statement on the Biennium State Budget
Madison- Today, State Rep. Dora Drake (D-11th Assembly District Milwaukee) released the following statement regarding the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 68, the Biennial State Budget:
“As things are opening up, it is encouraging to know a sense of normalcy is on the horizon. Part of this success is due to President Biden’s administration sending federal funds to Wisconsin and Governor Evers’ ability to manage and allocate the resources to help re-build our economy.” So as we approach the state’s budget for the next two years, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make investments that would be transformational for our state and for the citizens we represent.
I share Gov. Evers’ disappointment that the amended Joint Finance’s budget fell short of addressing the state’s needs and represented a missed opportunity. Assembly Bill 68 included the Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program and a historic $4 billion surplus, which was reported from our state’s non-partisan budget agency. With this knowledge, we collectively had the opportunity to make important investments that would propel our state’s future. Unfortunately, the budget proposal before me and other legislators missed the mark.
If we are serious about the future of our state, our kids must come first. Meaning, we must ensure proper funding for education that guarantees available resources go directly to the students, the teachers, and the classrooms in order for our children to obtain the necessary skills and opportunities to succeed. The budget proposal before us failed to invest in our children’s education, to accept needed financial resources from the Biden administration, and missed the opportunity to propel Wisconsin forward. For this reason, I could not vote to support the budget that was amended and proposed by the Joint Finance Committee.
That said, I’m pleased to share Governor Evers using his partial veto authority improved the 21-23 budget bill, reinstating original proposals and adding additional initiatives which make the budget he signed into law more reflective of the prioritizes we share.
I also applaud Gov. Evers for using $100 million in new federal dollars to provide critical resources for Wisconsin’s schools. But it is clear there is more that can and needs to be done to invest in our kids and our future. Political divides should not drive the direction of our state and I am committed to working to find common ground to create solutions that will result in the best possible future for Wisconsin.”
