OP-ED: How State Republicans Missed Opportunities for Wisconsin Families, While Democrats and Gov. Evers Championed Constituent Concerns This Legislative Session

From affordable child care and paid family leave, to abortion care, fully funded public schools, clean water and marijuana legalization, Wisconsinites want leaders who deliver on the issues that matter most to us. But as we look back on the year that was, we see time and again the Republican controlled legislature not only ignored the issues that matter to Wisconsin families, but obstructed action from Gov. Evers and legislative Democrats to deliver real solutions to issues facing our families and communities.

Image related to OP-ED: How State Republicans Missed Opportunities for Wisconsin Families, While Democrats and Gov. Evers Championed Constituent Concerns This Legislative Session
Image related to OP-ED: How State Republicans Missed Opportunities for Wisconsin Families, While Democrats and Gov. Evers Championed Constituent Concerns This Legislative Session

From affordable child care and paid family leave, to abortion care, fully funded public schools, clean water and marijuana legalization, Wisconsinites want leaders who deliver on the issues that matter most to us.

But as we look back on the year that was, we see time and again the Republican controlled legislature not only ignored the issues that matter to Wisconsin families, but obstructed action from Gov. Evers and legislative Democrats to deliver real solutions to issues facing our families and communities.

When given a chance to send more resources to students at public schools and address Wisconsin’s teacher shortage, for example, state Republicans responded by introducing bills that target LGBTQ+ youth, ban books, and put individual teachers and librarians at risk of prosecution if said books are not banned.

At the beginning of the year, Gov. Evers introduced a biennial budget proposal that prioritized the people of Wisconsin through: putting more money into middle class pockets, ensuring fully funded schools and affordable childcare, addressing mental health needs, lowering healthcare costs, nurturing a cleaner environment, creating family supporting jobs, and further protecting our freedom to vote.

But the Republican-authored budget that landed on the governor’s desk months later was a far cry from the budget Wisconsinites endorsed when they re-elected Gov. Evers last fall – all because Republicans slashed more than 500 items from the governor’s budget.

With a record state budget surplus, Gov. Evers and state Democrats supported measures to help families with rising costs by providing affordable child care, paid family leave, and more. GOP legislators responded with a failed tax scheme that would have let the wealthiest avoid paying what they owe at the expense of the rest of us.

Wisconsinites deserve better than the horrible choices made by legislative Republicans this year. Call your legislator at 1-800-362-9472 and demand they work together with Gov. Evers on real solutions to issues facing hardworking Wisconsin families.

# # #

A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.

wisconsin republican tom tiffany talking with his mouth open
wisconsin republican tom tiffany talking with his mouth open

On Medicaid’s 61st Birthday, Tom Tiffany Hopes It's the Last

Tiffany voted to gut the program and kick more than 200,000 Wisconsinites to the curb without care

Howard Marklein in front of cash money
Howard Marklein in front of cash money

Campaign Finance Records Reveal GOP Sen. Howard Marklein is Bankrolled by Billionaires

At a time when the state and country are in the midst of a huge affordability crisis, Marklein is getting 84% of his campaign cash from the ultra-rich and well-connected

Michele Magadance Skinner portrait in front of cash money
Michele Magadance Skinner portrait in front of cash money

Less Than 1% of Michele Magadance Skinner’s Campaign Support Comes From Within District She’s Running to Represent

Skinner was recently forced to reveal that her campaign for Wisconsin state senate is being funded nearly exclusively by MAGA billionaires