For Wisconsin’s legislative Republicans, missed opportunities and inaction are nothing new. In 2020, while Wisconsin families, schools and small businesses struggled under the impact of COVID-19, the Wisconsin GOP sat on their hands and said there was nothing the state could do to help. In 2021 it is disappointing but not surprising to see that Republican inaction and political grandstanding continues, and it’s losing Wisconsin billions.
While Gov. Tony Evers and legislative Democrats are trying to help our state bounce back and secure additional federal funding to ensure a strong recovery, legislative Republicans consistently work to undermine those efforts. Instead of rising to the moment, Republicans are putting our recovery in jeopardy.
Families, schools, and small businesses depend on a responsible state budget that invests in our priorities and our future. Our neighboring states know this — that is why they are seizing opportunities to capture federal funds and incentives to invest in families, strengthen communities and grow their economies. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Republicans are refusing to bring home money that belongs to Wisconsinites.
These missed opportunities add up, as dollars that could be reinvested in our communities go to other states.
Republicans’ stubborn refusal to expand BadgerCare alone is causing Wisconsin to miss out on $1.6 billion in new federal dollars and additional savings. Under the federal American Rescue Plan Act, if we expand BadgerCare, our state could receive an additional $1 billion incentive. That’s right, $1 billion on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars Wisconsin would already save. It’s no wonder that 70% of Wisconsinites…
Read More: JFC Dems.: GOP is costing Wisconsinites billions | Column