Around the State - 1,000 miles of budget listening sessions!
In the District
Office Hours
It’s budget season in your state capitol! In April I drove all over the state and around the district to listen to Wisconsinites’ budget priorities. Over the next few weeks the Joint Finance Committee will be deciding how to spend your tax dollars. Please watch our newsletters and social media posts where we will do our best to keep you up to date, and as always please reach out if we can be of service!
Around the Capitol - State Agency Hearings
The biennial state budget process includes briefings from some of the state agencies, and this year the Joint Finance Committee heard from the Department of Corrections and the Universities of Wisconsin System. These hearings help inform the committee as we work to craft a state budget that reflects constituents’ priorities and spends our tax dollars wisely.
As a strong advocate for investing in higher education, I believe Wisconsin must fund our universities at a level that keeps us competitive with other states. According to a report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, funding for four-year campuses in Wisconsin was $15,079 per pupil, which ranked 43rd nationally and was well below the U.S. average of $17,733. Keeping college affordable and accessible for all students and families isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s an investment in our future workforce and economic success. I appreciated hearing directly from Jay Rothman, Universities of Wisconsin President, about how the UW System is adapting teaching and learning in an uncertain economic environment.
As part of his budget plan and in response to growing concern over prison conditions and overcrowding, Governor Tony Evers has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the Department of Corrections facilities. The plan starts with closing the troubled Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake juvenile facilities, converting Lincoln Hills into a minimum security prison, closing Green Bay prison and converting the state’s oldest prison (Waupun, built in 1851) to a medium security center focused on vocational training. I support the Governor’s proposal that would bring about badly-needed reforms, update the state’s aging and overcrowded facilities, and reduce recidivism and costs to taxpayers.
Around the State: State Budget Hearings
Throughout April I drove more than 1,000 miles all across Wisconsin to Kaukauna, West Allis, Hayward, Whitewater, Sheboygan, West Allis and Dodgeville to attend local budget listening sessions and Joint Finance Committee budget hearings. Along the way, Democratic members of the committee stopped at local businesses to learn more about the state budget and its potential impact on the local economy.
At each stop Wisconsinites turned out in impressive numbers to advocate for the issues that matter most to their communities. While a wide range of topics were raised some common themes emerged, particularly the urgent need for increased funding for public schools and support for Medicaid.
Superintendents, educators, parents and school board members from across the state shared powerful testimony about how the current special education reimbursement rate does not cover expenses in their districts. Many reported having to go to referendum to raise property taxes just to cover basic services. Others faced failed referendums, leading to staff cuts and the loss of essential programs that benefit all students. To ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education, I support increasing special education reimbursement to at least a sum-sufficient 60% as proposed in the Governor’s budget.
Medicaid was another recurring concern. Wisconsinites from all walks of life underscored how Medicaid supports people at every stage, from early childhood intervention programs to long-term care for aging parents. The message was clear: investing in Medicaid is investing in the wellbeing of every Wisconsinite.
Some of the issues we heard about most at the West Allis public hearing on April 4th.
Visiting a ginseng farm in Wausau, which is under pressure from President Trump’s tariffs - see full story here.
Despite what we hear in the news of partisan infighting, every speaker was courteous, well-informed, and considerate of the brief time allotment without complaint. A sincere thank you to everyone who went out of their way to attend the budget hearings and wait, often for hours, to advocate for your neighbors, schools, and communities. Your input matters!
Visiting a local fly fishing store in Hayward, a recipient of Governor Evers’ Mainstreet Bounceback Grant program. The Governor would like to extend these grants as part of his proposed state budget.
No visit to Sheboygan would be complete without a visit to The Northwestern House for brats! Rep. Joe Sheehan and I spoke with General Manager Ian Utech about running his business and what state investments matter most to him and to his staff and customers.
New Legislation Introduced
I am proud to be the lead author with Representative Lee Snodgrass and Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin of AB 224, a bill that would require all constitutional amendments to be written in plain English. Until 2022, Wisconsin voters faced about one ballot question per year, but in 2024 there
were five. Many of these questions confused voters who struggled to understand whether
they should vote “yes” or “no.” At least 22 states, both red and blue, have readability laws that require ballot question language that is considered plain, simple, clear, or easily understood, often targeting specific reading levels for comprehension. This is not a partisan bill – this simply ensures Wisconsinites are casting the votes they intend. With the increasing use of Constitutional questions it’s time for Wisconsin to adopt our own readability law to prevent confusion and help cultivate our well-informed citizenry.
You can read news coverage of our bill in the Cap Times.
In the District
On April 10th Senator Jodi Habush-Sinykin and I met with Whitefish Bay Schools Superintendent Jamie Foeckler and school board members (including our former office chief of staff Sandy Saltzstein!). We learned about recent accomplishments (top public high school in the state!) and the budget challenges facing every school district, even some of our state’s top performing public schools. I will be advocating for more state investment in our K-12 schools as a member of the Joint Finance Committee.
UW Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin; Robby Abrahamian, Chief of Staff for Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin; and Professor Paul Roback.
Professor Paul Roback is an Ozaukee County and Washington County based extension educator and has been connecting individuals and organizations to UW-Madison for over 23 years. Professor Roback has a national reputation for teaching and is a leader in his field of organizational development with nonprofits and local governments. Recently I had the honor of recognizing Professor Roback at UW-Madison’s Distinguished Teaching Awards. He has taught over 1,800 learners and conducted training for over 100 nonprofits. Congratulations to Professor Roback, his commitment to our community is truly inspiring!
Honoring Bayside Olympians and Village Manager
Last week Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin and I proudly presented legislative citations to three remarkable Bayside residents.
We had the honor of recognizing Andy Pederson, Bayside’s longest-serving Village Manager, for 20 years of leadership and public service. Under his guidance, the Village secured millions of dollars in grant funding, which supported innovation and sustainability initiatives. Throughout his tenure, he mentored staff, led hundreds of public meetings, and earned a reputation for forward-thinking municipal leadership.
We were also privileged to recognize Team USA athletes Tom Howell and Koko Walny. Tom Howell was honored for his achievements as a national curling champion and international competitor, proudly representing both Bayside and Team USA. Koko Walny received recognition for her outstanding performance with the Fond du Lac Blades synchronized skating team, shining on the global stage in competitions across Europe.
It is an honor to have such amazing constituents!
Constituent Office Hours
Due to state budget hearings our in-district office hours are temporarily on hold. If you would like to meet with Representative Andraca in the district, please call the office directly to schedule.
Contact Us
There are several convenient ways to share your thoughts, questions and concerns with us:
Call our office at (608) 237-9123
Email us: Rep.Andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov
Visit our websiteto learn more about constituent services, legislative priorities and to share your comments or concerns
