July: Budget Wrap Up, Independence Day, and More 

July 3, 2025

It was a very late night, but the Legislature finally passed a state budget signed into law by the Governor at 1:30 am. It has been an honor to serve on the Joint Finance Committee as we navigated the 2025-27 biennial budget process. Through more than 30 hours of public hearings and long days and nights of meetings, Joint Finance Committee members worked diligently to bring the budget to where it is today. 

Voting on the state budget is unlike any other vote in the Legislature. There are competing priorities across vastly different issue areas, and all must be considered carefully. However, for me, there is one priority that always comes first—the needs of my constituents who trust me with their vote.

What I heard in constituent meetings, in-district office hours, Joint Finance Committee hearings, and hundreds of emails and phone calls was consistent: predictable, meaningful funding for public education indexed to inflation; reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program; an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates; more programming for the arts and our creative economy; no new property tax increases; and support for the Universities of Wisconsin that demonstrates a commitment to sustained academic excellence.

While some of these issues were addressed in the budget bill, on almost every measure, this budget fell short. Governor Evers and Democrats were at the table for the first time in over a decade and made significant improvements to the initial Republican proposal, but in the end it was not enough to earn my vote.  It is a step in the right direction, and I hope it leads to more bipartisanship  and further investments in our district’s top priorities. 

Our new fair maps are already demonstrating how districts that represent communities, not political parties, can result in better outcomes. I am encouraged that last night's vote might represent a return to a democracy where the will of the people is the law of the land. I look forward to more opportunities to hear from constituents, work across the aisle, and help create a safer, smarter, healthier Wisconsin.

• This bill would require drivers to fully stop, not just yield, for anyone crossing the street at a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

• This bill ensures that every state or federally-funded highway project includes bike and pedestrian paths, unless clearly defined exceptions apply. It’s a return to smart, community-focused planning that connects neighborhoods, supports active lifestyles, and cuts carbon emissions.

• This legislation creates a refundable tax credit for families purchasing bikes, up to $200 per child.

• Food & beverages: 1–8 PM
• Kids games: 1–4 PM
• Live music
•  Fireworks begin at 9:30 PM

• Refreshments
• Annual Best Decorated Bike & Dog contests

•   Corn Roast: 4–7:30 PM
•   Food Trucks: 4–9 PM
•   Bingo: 4:30–8:30 PM
•   Kids Activities: 4:30–5:30 PM
•   Raffle Winners Announced: 8:30 PM
•   Fireworks: 9 PM