Copy

Special Edition

Dear Neighbor,

We put together a quick and easy-to-read overview on the state budget process in hopes that it makes the process of forming a state budget feel both easy to understand, and helpful to you as you try to figure out how to engage. Included below is information on the state budget timeline, how and when to share your input, and overview of my budget meetings with Governor Evers, and some of the items that I requested that are included in Governor Evers' 2025-2027 state budget proposal.

Forward together,

Rep. Robyn Vining

State Budget Process 

Every two years the Wisconsin legislature passes a biennial (two-year) state budget–this occurs in the odd year of the legislative session (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025). Fun fact: in Wisconsin we must balance the budget.

The budget process begins in the “even year” (2020, 2022, 2024) with the governor gathering input from state agencies and stakeholders. Lawmakers (that’s me!) also spend the “even year” gathering input from stakeholders–with a lot of input from constituents–and then present funding proposals to the governor. I met with Governor Evers in December to present my ideas and concerns on behalf of my constituents and my district. The budget address takes place in the State Assembly–just like the State of the State–and is presented in the form of a bill. Governor Evers delivered his budget address this year on Tuesday, February 18th. The next morning (usually) large printed books of information land on our desks at the Capitol, and the process is off and running across the state through an eventual vote in both the state Senate and state Assembly in (usually) June.

Wisconsinites will have the opportunity to participate in various types of listening sessions across the state between February 19th and the final budget vote. You can also call and email your representatives anytime with your input.

The final version of the bill comes from the Joint Finance Committee (JFC). JFC (which is currently composed of 12 Republicans and 4 Democrats) spends months deliberating the final version of the bill, and sends it to the Assembly and Senate for (possible) amendments and final passage (final vote). If the Senate and Assembly pass a budget bill (it must be the same in both houses), the bill is sent to Governor Evers’ desk where he can sign the budget as-is, veto the budget in its entirety, or utilize his partial veto power and then sign the budget. If a budget is not passed by July 1st, the state continues to operate under the biennial budget from the previous session. Once a budget is signed by the governor, the final state budget goes into effect starting the 1st of July. 

And…that’s how it usually happens.
State Budget Meetings With Governor Evers 

Mental Health 

When I met with Governor Evers to discuss the 2025 state budget in December, we talked a lot about mental health, and I am grateful to the Governor for addressing youth mental health with the urgency it requires in his State of the State address. Governor Evers understands that investing in the mental and behavioral health needs of our kids is what’s best for Wisconsin. 

If you’d like a peek into some of my budget requests to the Governor, here’s some of what I proposed: 

  • Require health insurance plans that provide coverage of mental health services to cover at least 28 annual visits

  • Support mental healthcare access for K-12 students, UW students, and veterans

  • Invest in expanding mental health services available in schools as well as in the school mental health workforce (without raising taxes)

  • Increase the number of BIPOC mental health professionals in schools

  • Provide training to help LGBTQIA+ students

Mental healthcare is healthcare, and Wisconsinites deserve access to the mental healthcare they need. We know the need is significant, affecting every corner of Wisconsin, and I believe we have the responsibility to do a better job connecting people with the mental healthcare that they need. We know that there is a need for access to affordable mental health services in Wisconsin, and that includes growing the mental health workforce and expanding mental health services to Wisconsinites who need them. I asked for significant funding increases to support access to affordable mental healthcare across the state. 

Now is the time to make critical investments to improve mental health for all Wisconsinites. We must continue this work as a legislature to invest in mental healthcare so that when we move forward as a state, we move forward together. This year, let’s make sure that Wisconsinites have access to the affordable mental healthcare that they deserve.

Health & Healthcare

Since I was first elected in 2018 I have been focused on making quality healthcare more affordable to all Wisconsinites, so of course I talked about this with Governor Evers in December when we met to discuss the 2025 state budget. 

Governor Evers cares that you have access to affordable healthcare, which is why he included Less For Rx in his state budget proposal. Here’s some more of what I requested be included in the state budget (his full proposal will be announced February 18th):

  • Postpartum Medicaid Extension

  • Medicaid Expansion

  • Provide free menstrual products in schools, state and local government buildings

  • Provide free menstrual products in prisons and jails

  • Making sure all ambulances have epinephrine

As legislators we must do everything we can for the health and safety of our constituents. Nobody should be forced to choose between buying food, paying rent, and receiving the healthcare they need.

Public Education

We have seen a record number of school referendums across the state–forcing communities to raise their own taxes to protect their local schools and economies, and we have seen closures and cutbacks across the UW System. I want to see an end to these practices, and I want to see the state legislature honor its oath to every child in Wisconsin’s right to an adequately funded education.  

And good heavens if there’s anything we have heard loud and clear knocking doors, answering the phones and emails in the office, talking to people at the grocery store and at community events and…everywhere I go, it’s a loud and clear demand to fund the schools!

Here’s a peek into some of my state budget requests to the Governor: 

  • A Sustainable Funding Model: 90% special education reimbursement +  index per-pupil funding to inflation

  • Grants for qualified teachers in our classrooms

  • Mental health investments, including expanding mental health services available in schools as well as in the school mental health workforce

  • Restoring faculty tenure at the UW System

  • Mental health investments for UW students 

  • State funding for the UW-Milwaukee Health Sciences Building

It’s always good to sit down with the “Education Governor” and talk about Wisconsin’s kids, schools, and teachers. Governor Evers understands that our public schools have been underfunded for decades, and funding the schools is one of the best investments we can make for both Wisconsin kids, and our economy!

Childcare

Wisconsinites deserve affordable, accessible childcare. 

I have been a vocal advocate in the Capitol for affordable, high-quality childcare because that is what Wisconsinites deserve. As I said back in September, “Without continued investments to the Child Care Counts program, over 2,000 additional child care programs are expected to close, resulting in over 87,000 children across Wisconsin losing their child care. Child Care Counts is essential for Wisconsin’s families, and the future of our great state.” 

That’s why I requested that Governor Evers include funding for Child Care Counts in his state budget–and in his State of the State Address, Governor Evers announced that he will! His proposal will include ongoing funding to make the Child Care Counts program permanent, and over $500M in investments to support affordable, accessible childcare across the state. 

Let’s fund Child Care Counts so that we can move forward, together. 

Small Business Support

Since I was first elected in 2018 I have been an advocate for small businesses across the state of Wisconsin. As a small business creator myself, I know that Wisconsin entrepreneurs need help accessing the tools to start, maintain, and grow their businesses in Wisconsin. That’s why when I sat down with Governor Evers in December to discuss his state budget, I proposed that he include funding for: 

  • “Go Big for Small Business” small business portal: an online portal for Wisconsinites to access information related to starting, maintaining, and growing a small business. 

  • Mainstreet Bounceback Grants: grants to assist new or expanding small businesses by offsetting costs related to opening a new location, such as leases, mortgages, or operational expenses. 

Governor Evers cares about Wisconsin’s small business owners–that’s why he included both of these in his last budget. Let’s do what we can to go big for Wisconsin’s small businesses!

My Requests Included In The State Budget 

When Governor Evers unveiled his budget proposal, we got to find out which of my requests were included!

The Governor’s 2025 State Budget Proposal included funding for: 

  • Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies (coverage of maternal and newborn care)

  • Epinephrine for Ambulances

  • Postpartum Medicaid Extension

  • Medicaid Expansion

  • Increased School Funding

  • Main Street Bounceback Program

  • School-based Mental Health

  • UW Mental Health

  • Grants for Prospective Social Workers

  • Increasing School Medicaid Service Reimbursement to 100% 

  • Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program

  • Shared Revenue

  • Child Care Counts

  • Firefighter Mental Health

Forward together,

Rep. Robyn Vining

 

Contact Us: 

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708 

PH: (608) 237-9113
TF: (888) 534-0013

Email: 
Rep.Vining@legis.wi.gov 
Web: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/13/vining 

Facebook
Instagram
Copyright © 2025 ASM14_Vining, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708 


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp