Senator Agard Releases the BEST Agenda to Promote Economic Security in Wisconsin

MADISON – Today, Senator Agard joined her colleagues in the Legislature and community advocates for a press conference to announce the introduction of the Building Economic Security Together (BEST) agenda, a package of bills that work to boost the economic security of Wisconsinites of all ages. State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“At every stage in life, Wisconsinites deserve economic security and a state that looks out for them. We want folks to prosper and ensure our economy works for everyone so that anyone can start a family without financial worries, build generational wealth, and retire here in our great state with their economic needs taken care of.

“I’m proud to author this package alongside my Legislative colleagues so that ordinary folks have the economic support they need to thrive. I look forward to continuing to support the livelihoods and well-being of families and communities across the state.”

The B.E.S.T Agenda includes the following:

LRB-5703: For babies born to eligible families in Wisconsin, the state would invest $3,000 – access to these funds would be granted at 18, the money could be used to buy a home, pursue higher education, start a business, contribute toward retirement or investments, or pay for childcare.

LRB-5704: Requires the state to increase wage to $10.85 upon enactment, $15 within one year, adjust to inflation two years after the bill’s enactment, restore local control to set their own minimum wage, and end tipped wage.

LRB-5790: Creates a pilot program that would allow counties to apply for grant funding to assist Wisconsinites with down payments on homes.

LRB-5706: Creates a state-run marketplace to access information and invest in vetted retirement plans.

LRB-5707: Repeals the state tax on pensions of public safety and other frontline workers.

LRB-0788: Requires pharmaceutical companies to report to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Department of Health Services when a price will be increasing by more than 25%.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.