Regular listeners of the show know that I do not believe that there is a one size fits all solution to most of the problems that face this state. What I DO believe is that continuing to do the same things that we have been doing definitely cannot be viewed as a solution.
During my almost 2 years in the Fox Cities, we have been having the same discussions over and over again with very limited action taking place (childcare access, UW funding, public schools, etc). Every now and again, it seems as though we might see a little progress forward, only for another technicality to get in the way of progress.
Just in the last couple of months, the Wisconsin Legislature has allocated funds for a number of projects, including:
- $125 million to combat PFAS statewide
- Roughly $50 million to improve literacy for our kids
- $15 million to respond to abrupt hospital closures in the Chippewa Valley
- $20 million to support communities facing UW branch campus closures
- $15 million to support child care for working families
- $5 million for attracting large-scale events and tourism opportunities
This is $230 million dollars that has already been allocated, in a bipartisan manner, that remains unused because the Joint Finance Committee will not move forward.
The excuses are different for every instance, but the outcome remains the same– Wisconsin continues to fall behind our neighbors despite ample opportunity to move forward.
Clean water should not be political. Having access to hospitals should not be political. Affordable child care should not be political.
Governor Evers has been vocal in his desire to see JFC Republicans put aside politics and move forward with some common sense funding, and he joined me today expressing what he hoped to see happen, so the people of Wisconsin can finally move forward with new issues that need attention.
To listen to the entire interview, click the player at the top of the article. The interview begins 7 minutes into the episode.
[Spreaker: Outside the Box]
