.jpg)
Helpful Wisconsin Links
Unsubscribe
If you would like to unsubscribe from Representative Ripp's E-Update, please click here.
JOINT FINANCE THIS WEEK
Revenue Numbers:
Revenue estimates by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau are right where they're expected to be.
Wisconsin is on track to continue forward at a rate of between 4-5% revenue growth.
Our top priority is still to invest in K-12 education.
Despite a challenging economic forecast nationwide, our state is steadily moving in the right direction.
We will continue to see economic improvements in our state moving forward, as we will continue our fiscal budgeting practices to build a better, financially sustainable Wisconsin.
This week, the Joint Finance Commitee:
-
JFC approved additional resources for DOJ to investigate officer-involved shootings.
-
These resources include adding 4 additional positions and $635,100 PR.
-
The JFC restored funds to child advocacy centers to help children who are victims of abuse and/or assault.
-
In addition to restoring these funds, the JFC added $100,000 for court appointed special advocates. These advocates work with the advocacy centers to give young victims of abuse the care and protection they need.
-
The JFC invested in the Wisconsin Fast Forward program to help close the skills gap and successfully train more employable people.
-
The Committee voted to free up $15 million GPR that was tied up in the proposed Eau Claire Confluence Arts Center project. Now, these funds can be used for higher priorities on our agenda, like K-12 education.
So far this budget, we've:
-
Reduced all funds by $32.5 million
-
Reduced GPR spending by $29 million
-
Reduced the number of FTE positions by 33
If you have any other questions about what was taken up this week, please email me and I can get you more information.
JOINT FINANCE NEXT WEEK
Next week Tuesday and Thursday, the Joint Finance Committee will continue their votes on various areas of the Governor's Budget. Here are the issue areas, please let me know if you have any questions concerning any of them.
Tuesday, May 12th:
Higher Educational Aids Board
Educational Communications Board
Office of State Employment Relations
Department of Health Services -- Institutions and Mental Health
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Environmental Improvement Fund
Thursday, May 14th:
Department of Administration -- Hearings and Appeals
Department of Administration -- Information Technology
Investment Board
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Department of Children and Families -- Departmentwide
Department of Children and Families -- Children and Families
Department of Children and Families -- Economic Support and Child Care
Department of Children and Families -- Child Support
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Direct Aid Payments
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Property Taxation
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Property Tax Credits
Shared Revenue and Tax Relief -- Local Revenue Options
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
It is hard to quantify or put into words how much our mothers do for us and how they really make the world go round. To all of those selfless women out there, including my wonderful wife Lori, and my mother Jean and mother-in-law Marilyn, Happy Mother's Day this Sunday!
CONTACT ME
As in the past, I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. Please contact my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov, or stop by my Capitol office at 223 North. I look forward to hearing from you. As always, I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward.
Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 42nd Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included, please respond to this email with their email address.