Governor Evers recently introduced his proposed 2023-25 fiscal year budget. Many of the programs and funding included are easy to get excited about. Still, it’s important to remember the governor’s proposed budget is a very early step in a lengthy budget process.

What’s in the Governor’s Proposed Budget?

The current proposal includes increases to respite funding, money for school-based mental health services, increases to the state-paid portion of special education services at public schools, expanded Birth to 3 Program access for children with elevated lead levels (considered to be a preventable cause of some developmental delays), a tax credit for the installation of universal changing stations, Wisconsin ABLE Accounts, and more.

Children’s Long-Term Supports While the governor’s budget mentions the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) waiver, advocates are concerned that the proposal still falls short of making the program equivalent to adult services by eliminating the delays some families experience in accessing CLTS once their child is found to be eligible.

What’s Next?

The next step in the budget process is for the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee, a group including senators and representatives, to hold listening sessions to get feedback directly from the public. These sessions are typically held in April at locations across the state. The 2023 public hearing dates have not yet been announced. Watch for updates from Family Voices on when and where these hearings will be held.

How Can I Give My Input? Giving testimony (a verbal statement) at these public hearings or submitting written comments is a great way to tell legislators how you feel about any of these topics. It is important that the Joint Finance Committee hear from you, as well as your legislator, your representative and your senator. Remember to share not only about the state programs that are not working well for your family but also those that are providing meaningful care and support, so they know to protect these programs.

Events that Prepare You for Testimony

Advocacy for Change (AFC) Family Voices of Wisconsin holds an annual one-day workshop for families with children ages 21 and younger to support their legislative involvement. AFC (March 16) offers topical briefings in the morning and prepares parents and families to visit their legislators in the afternoon to talk about the issues that are important to them. Registration is still open for this year’s event.

Disability Advocacy Day is presented by the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. It has a similar focus, with a program geared to support self-advocate adults and the providers who support them.

The Time is NOW! Budget-time is an important season to get connected with your legislators. From the Wisconsin State Legislature website, enter your physical address to identify your state legislators, see what committees they serve on, review their voting history, and read about bills they are sponsoring.

Their job is to take your input into deep consideration, and they can only do so when they hear from you.