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Wisconsin State Budget

Most of us are ready to put the chaos and uncertainty of 2020 behind us. A global pandemic, economic crisis, and heated election will long remain in our memory, and we will surely feel the impacts of the tumultuous past year in 2021 and beyond. This is especially true with regards to the state budget. As we face competing priorities, it is critical for the rural people of Wisconsin and the organizations who represent them to voice support for the issues that matter most to family farmers and rural communities. The Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) budget priorities are based on policy adopted by WFU members at our convention and on the unforeseen challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 WFU 2021-2023 Budget Priorities

 

  • CLIMATE AND CONSERVATION

    • Fully fund county conservation

    • Producer-led watershed grants

    • Support for statewide groundwater testing and mapping

    • Incentives for climate-smart agricultural practices

    • Increased staffing for monitoring and oversight of large livestock facilities

  • MEAT PROCESSING 

    • Provide grants and loans for new and expanded processing facilities 

    • Increase meat inspection staff at DATCP to accommodate growth in processing

    • Support education and apprenticeship programs to train new butchers

  • ANTITRUST

    • ​​Funding for increased antitrust enforcement at the Wisconsin Department of Justice 

    • Add one FTE at the Consumer Protection and Antitrust division at the DOJ

  • RURAL BROADBAND

    • Increase funding for broadband expansion grants 

    • Direct federal COVID relief dollars toward rural broadband expansion 

    • Target funding for underserved areas

    • Prioritize small telecommunications companies and rural electric co-ops

  • HEALTHCARE 

    • Accept federal Medicaid expansion funding to expand BadgerCare eligibility 

    • Create a BadgerCare public option

    • Increase funding for mental health services 

    • Increase funding to help those struggling with addiction and substance use

WI Budget Process Graphic-2.png
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Join us for May Budget Action Meetings!  

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During the weeks of May 17th and May 24th we are giving WFU members an opportunity to meet with your legislators to discuss key priorities for the state budget. This is an important opportunity to raise your voice and share how funding for things like healthcare, rural broadband, meat processing, and conservation impacts farmers and rural communities. 

 

Click here to register

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