Stevens Point is first stop on new budget listening session tour
By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter
STEVENS POINT — Area residents had a chance to voice their opinion on budgetary issues at the first post-budget listening session, at UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday night.
Governor Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and other state leaders were in attendance at the public discussion, centered on Evers’ 2019-2021 budget plan. The session consisted of six independent groups, each with an emphasized focal point of discussion.
Guests could choose which group to engage with during the evening of analysis. Group topics were: healthcare, criminal justice reform, jobs and taxes, transportation and infrastructure, education and environmental and natural resources. Evers’ budget, which has been called a “liberal wish list” by Republicans, was praised by many but saw pushback from some citizens at the session. Concerns on overall funding sources and environmental issues were prominent in many discussions.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to need to come to common ground and find solutions for the people of Wisconsin,” Evers said. “It was all about the different groups. They were connecting the dots. Whether it’s education, whether it’s healthcare, transportation, all those issues are important for the quality of life here in Wisconsin.”
Evers feels the issues brought up throughout the various groups showed signs of correlation.
“These things are connected — if we want to have a good education system, we need to have affordable housing.”
Legislators are currently working on revisions to the budget. Evers believes the listening tour will aid both residents and state leaders in the process of identifying and solving Wisconsin problems.
“The bottom line is, we want to make sure our legislators understand how important these issues are to the people of the state.”
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