Press Releases

JFC Democrats Remain Dedicated to Investing in Wisconsinites -- Not Political Shams

MADISON -- Today, the Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance will continue their efforts to encourage the committee to be responsible stewards of the budget process by offering a motion to give the Legislature oversight of outside counsel.

The committee will vote on a number of budget items today, and all of those votes should be focused on making decisions that benefit Wisconsinites.

The four Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance released the following statement in anticipation of today’s executive session:
“Governor Evers’ budget made responsible investments in local Wisconsin communities, returning taxpayer dollars back to the people. He set historic benchmarks in funding for public education, child care, and local government funding. In our first executive session,  Republicans gutted some of the most popular pieces of Governor Evers’ budget. Acting on these critical priorities would have set Wisconsin communities up for future success and demonstrated that
we were serious about using our state’s resources to address the difficulties Wisconsinites are facing.

“Meanwhile, over the past few years, Republicans have recklessly wasted taxpayer money on unnecessary lawsuits and exorbitant attorney fees for the Gableman sham investigation. Justice Gableman was hired by Speaker Vos to appease President Trump and national Republicans. Then, after almost two years of a sham investigation and no evidence of widespread election fraud discovered, Speaker Vos changed his mind and said Gableman was an ‘embarrassment
to the state.’

“Today, the Democrats on the Joint Committee on Finance will offer a measure to ensure accountability and greater transparency to prevent future runaway investigations. Wisconsinites deserve a government that invests in them and their communities.”

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Contacts:
Sen. LaTonya Johnson............(608) 266-2500
Sen. Kelda Roys………………(608) 266-1627
Rep. Evan Goyke....................(608) 266-0645
Rep. Tip McGuire....................(608) 266-5504

JFC Democrats Vote to Strengthen Wisconsin’s Court System

MADISON, WI – Today, the Joint Committee on Finance took up several agencies that ensure our criminal justice system operates efficiently and effectively. Our state needs the right investments in our Circuit Courts, the Supreme Court, District Attorneys, and Public Defenders so they can continue to work together to enforce our laws and seek justice for Wisconsinites.

In response to today’s executive session, Joint Finance Committee Democrats made the following statement:

“Today, the Joint Committee on Finance followed Gov. Evers’ lead to provide historic investments in our state’s court system, which will help keep our communities safe and ensure our courts can continue to provide fair representation. With a historic surplus of nearly $7 billion, we will continue to call for the investments that people from around the state asked for at last month's public hearings.”

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Contacts:
Sen. LaTonya Johnson — sen.johnson@legis.wi.gov                                                     
Rep. Evan Goyke — rep.goyke@legis.wi.gov
Sen. Kelda Roys — sen.roys@legis.wi.gov
Rep. Tip McGuire — rep.mcguire@legis.wi.gov

Republicans punt: No urgency about PFAS harm

MADISON — Today, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) took up budget items on the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. JFC Democrats voted in favor of Governor Evers’ plan to support sustainable farming and provide all Wisconsinites access to clean drinking water. Yet again, Republicans are ignoring the root of the problem and refuse to create a plan to address the prevention, safety standards, or accountability needed to combat PFAS and overall water contamination. 

In response to today’s executive session, Joint Finance Committee Democrats made the following statement:

“For years, Republicans have ignored water quality issues and voted against proposals that would address PFAS, lead, and nitrate contamination. Today, Republicans on Joint Finance once again proved they aren’t serious about addressing these issues. Instead of a real solution, they provided funding for a bill that has not even been officially introduced, with no guarantee that the funding will actually be used.”

“Republicans are once again attempting to play catch up with the plans outlined by Governor Evers in his budget and legislation previously introduced by Democrats, and they certainly fell short today. We must use our historic state surplus of nearly $7 billion to enact smart, effective policy, not half-baked proposals. Wisconsinites deserve leadership, not empty promises.”

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Contacts:

Sen. LaTonya Johnson............(608) 266-2500

Sen. Kelda Roys………………(608) 266-1627

Rep. Evan Goyke....................(608) 266-0645

Rep. Tip McGuire....................(608) 266-5504

Good for business: JFC Democrats urge investments in working families

MADISON — Today, the Joint Committee on Finance had the opportunity to make consequential investments in Wisconsin families which will help businesses compete with neighboring states but Republicans have shown they have no interest in making family-friendly investments.

This week, the Joint Committee on Finance will be taking action on several agencies, some of which are charged with ensuring a strong Wisconsin workforce. JFC legislators should be discussing and tackling ways to promote a strong and healthy workforce. Instead, Republican members of the Committee took action during its first budget executive session to silence debate on many popular pieces of Governor Evers’ budget that would support our workforce, including paid family leave.

Ahead of today’s executive session, the Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance issued the following statement:

“JFC Democrats are eager to make investments that will attract talent to our state and support people with the resources they need to thrive. Business leaders are telling us we need to invest in working families with paid family leave, affordable child care, and reliable funding to make health care accessible regardless of zip code. Our neighboring states are making these investments and today should be our turn.

“Throughout this budget process, Republicans have rejected Governor Evers’ innovative solutions to addressing Wisconsin’s unique workforce challenges. There’s still time for Republicans to wake up and listen to the needs of their communities. Time will tell if they have the courage or ambition.”

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Contacts:

Sen. LaTonya Johnson............(608) 266-2500

Sen. Kelda Roys………………(608) 266-1627

Rep. Evan Goyke....................(608) 266-0645

Rep. Tip McGuire....................(608) 266-5504

‘Waitlists everywhere’: Republicans ignore calls for investment in child care

MADISON — Today, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) had the opportunity to make meaningful investments that would help Wisconsin grow and continue to be a place that people want to raise a family. However, Republicans once again rejected the chance to do what’s right for working families across our state. 

After today’s executive session, the Democratic members of the Joint Finance Committee issued the following statement:

“As members of JFC, we should be supporting working families, not slashing funding at every turn. Wisconsinites deserve a budget that is designed around their needs. Throughout the budget process, we’ve heard from people around the state about the need for meaningful investments in child care:

“Strong investment in childcare as infrastructure is really important to me, and, I know, to other people who want to live in vibrant communities. Part of living in a vibrant community is taking care of our kids and supporting our families.” 
                        — Christie, Iowa County

“We got added to waitlists everywhere between Green Bay and Marinette, Oconto to Crivitz, with no guarantees that there would actually be a spot when we needed it.”
                        — Alicia, Marinette County

“As a young family of 4 there is no way that our family could sustain higher daycare costs than what we are already paying. Child care costs more monthly than our mortgage.”                                                                      — April, Outagamie County

“Today, JFC Democrats showed that we’ve been listening by offering a $340 million proposal that responds to the child care crisis. Republicans proved once again they aren’t interested in listening to the needs of people — even in their own communities.”

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Contacts:

Sen. LaTonya Johnson............(608) 266-2500

Sen. Kelda Roys………………(608) 266-1627

Rep. Evan Goyke....................(608) 266-0645

Rep. Tip McGuire....................(608) 266-5504

JFC Democrats Invest in Wisconsin’s Future, Republicans Still Stuck in the Past

MADISON, WI – Today, the Joint Committee on Finance took action on state agencies that are well-positioned to ensure Wisconsin’s infrastructure is set up for success now and in the future. With a historic surplus of nearly $7 billion, Wisconsin has the ability to invest in building our infrastructure in a fiscally responsible way, creating jobs through building projects and tourism, and expanding access to broadband. Yet, after hearing from Wisconsinites from around the state about the need for internet access, Republicans left out the key $750 million investment in the state broadband expansion grant program proposed by Governor Evers.

After today’s executive session, Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance provided the following statement:

“Today, Republicans missed an opportunity to use our historic surplus to invest in our state's infrastructure, create jobs, promote tourism, and expand broadband access. Unfortunately, these essential steps to stimulate economic development and ensure Wisconsin remains an attractive place to live, work, and visit were rejected by the Republicans on the committee.

By opposing the governor's forward-thinking investments, JFC Republicans voted against over 16,000 good-paying construction jobs and left Wisconsin’s rural communities behind by providing zero additional dollars to expand basic internet access. As the Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance, we stand committed to building a prosperous and vibrant Wisconsin.”

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Contacts:
Sen. LaTonya Johnson — sen.johnson@legis.wi.gov                            
Rep. Evan Goyke — rep.goyke@legis.wi.gov
Sen. Kelda Roys — sen.roys@legis.wi.gov
Rep. Tip McGuire — rep.mcguire@legis.wi.gov

Democrats Committed to a Responsive Government

MADISON — Today, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) took action on multiple state agencies (DSPS, DOC, DOJ, DOA) that have immense impacts on state government operations and our state’s workforce. JFC Democrats voted in favor of Governor Evers’ plan to cultivate safe and healthy communities that will support working families in our state.

The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) has successfully addressed licensing backlogs with the help of Governor Evers’ allocation of federal funds for additional staff positions. Today, Republicans on JFC introduced a plan that would significantly decrease staff from current levels, once again forcing our state agencies to do more with less.

After today’s executive session, the Democratic members of the Joint Finance Committee issued the following statement:

“JFC Democrats remain committed to meeting the needs of the people. We proposed much-needed investments to ensure our state government continues to efficiently serve Wisconsinites.”

“For years, Republicans have refused to fully fund our state agencies to allow them to function properly, and today was no different. While Republicans are focused on internal political battles, they lose sight of what really matters: investing in programs that Wisconsinites rely on to work and thrive.”

“We will continue to advocate for reliable investments to ensure Wisconsinites can depend on their government to serve them.”

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Contacts:

Sen. LaTonya Johnson............(608) 266-2500

Sen. Kelda Roys………………(608) 266-1627

Rep. Evan Goyke....................(608) 266-0645 

Rep. Tip McGuire....................(608) 266-5504

Republicans Undermine State Infrastructure, Punt Higher Education

MADISON — Today, Democrats on the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) prepared to make investments to train the workforce through the UW System and support local communities to reduce barriers for workers to participate in the workforce. Instead, Republicans further showcased their reluctance to invest in the UW System despite its proven economic power. Additionally, Republicans showed no interest in supporting workers who rely on transit to make it to work.

Four months ago, Gov. Evers provided a blueprint for reducing barriers to contribute to the economy through the workforce. Meanwhile, Republicans squabbling over cultural wars prevents them from serving Wisconsin. 

After today's executive session, the Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance issued the following statement:

“The devastating actions made by Republicans today will only intensify our workforce crisis. We have the opportunity to invest in our workers and make Wisconsin a welcoming place for anyone eager to work hard. Actions in this Committee determine the future of our state, and Republicans are deliberately jeopardizing that future. Today, Republicans put our transit systems on the chopping block in future budgets by removing their access to dedicated transportation funding. That is not a path to a robust economy; it's a step toward increasing hardship and economic inequity.

“At a time when employers are begging us to invest in infrastructure that will support the workforce like transit, child care, technical college training, and the UW System — Republicans are ignoring all of those pleas heard in every corner of the state. Their inaction will intensify the workforce shortage putting further unnecessary strain on small businesses who need workers.

“Democrats will continue to prioritize making investments to support the workforce.”

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Contacts:
Sen. LaTonya Johnson — sen.johnson@legis.wi.gov                             Rep. Evan Goyke — rep.goyke@legis.wi.gov
Sen. Kelda Roys — sen.roys@legis.wi.gov
Rep. Tip McGuire — rep.mcguire@legis.wi.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2023

We Saw the Republicans’ Plan, and the Governor’s Plan Was Better

MADISON — Today, the final Joint Finance Committee (JFC) budget meeting concluded with a disappointing decision from the Republicans to cut taxes by over $400 million for millionaires over the biennium, rather than using the money to invest in our state. Despite constant objections to the state's capacity to fund necessary initiatives throughout the budget process, Republicans chose to squander the state's resources, favoring their wealthy friends instead of backing crucial investments that would support Wisconsin’s communities and foster a vibrant economy.

To keep Wisconsin’s child care industry afloat, Governor Evers proposed $340 million to continue Child Care Counts, a critical initiative to ensure Wisconsin's children receive the care they need and parents can participate in the workforce. Republicans rejected that investment last week, which will cause child care center closures statewide, in order to give that money and more to millionaires.

This glaring disservice to our communities highlights a clear disconnect between Republicans' priorities and the urgent needs of working families. After today's executive session, Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance issued the following statement

“The Republicans' decision today highlights a profound disparity between their fiscal priorities and the real needs of Wisconsinites. It's disheartening to see, after months of work, the opportunity to adequately invest in things like child care, mental health and growing our economy went to the wayside to accommodate unnecessary tax cuts for the wealthiest residents.”

“As we move forward to the next phase of the budget process, Republicans in the Legislature have a chance to rectify their misplaced priorities. The upcoming floor session provides an opportunity to address the urgent needs of our communities and lay the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive economy. We call on our Republican colleagues to seize this moment and join us in putting forth a budget that genuinely supports all Wisconsinites.”

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Contacts:
 Sen. LaTonya Johnson — sen.johnson@legis.wi.gov                             Rep. Evan Goyke — rep.goyke@legis.wi.gov
 Sen. Kelda Roys — sen.roys@legis.wi.gov
 Rep. Tip McGuire — rep.mcguire@legis.wi.gov