Rep. Brostoff Statement on Gov. Evers’ ‘21-’23 Biennial Budget

MILWAUKEE – In response to Governor Tony Evers’ Budget Address earlier this evening, in which the Governor laid out a bold plan for his 2021-23 biennial budget, State Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:

“This evening, Governor Evers introduced a bold biennial budget that will take care of Wisconsinites now and help move our state forward as we slowly emerge from the worst global health and economic crises in a century. From investing in mental health care and expanding BadgerCare, to legalizing cannabis and investing revenues in equity initiatives and rural schools, to expanding support for childcare, long-term care, and caregiving, to investing in workforce development initiatives and innovation, to tackling long-needed policing and criminal justice reform, Governor Evers has proven to the people of Wisconsin tonight that he intends to put people before politics and actually answer the call that this moment demands. I am proud to support Governor Evers’ budget, and I hope that my Republican colleagues can set aside our political differences and work together with Democrats and the Governor to pass this budget as soon as possible.”

Earlier this evening, Governor Tony Evers unveiled his budget proposal for the 2021-2023 Biennium. Included in the budget are numerous measures increasing funding for public education, transforming our justice system, investing in workforce development and innovation initiatives, promoting public health, and expanding mental health care programming and access, which will help provide and expand critical services to Wisconsin residents, grow the state’s economy, and provide important economic tools for communities across Wisconsin to regain a firm foothold in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

“In particular, I am thrilled that Governor Evers has chosen to include important budget investments in our Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and hard-of-hearing communities this biennium. Earlier this year, I made it clear to the Governor that, from my conversations with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and hard-of-hearing Wisconsinites, it was abundantly clear that additional state funding was critically needed for expanded and enhanced mental and behavioral health programming, and for expanded hearing aid access. To see the Governor listen to these urgent requests and include them in his budget is a huge win for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and hard-of-hearing residents across the state, and I look forward to building on these wins as we move through the rest of the Biennium.

Now, there’s one thing left to do – let’s get this budget passed!”