http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgThis budget is $2.8 billion more than the last budget and is the largest in state history. While Gov. Walker has touted providing needed money for schools, roads, and the UW, some details didn’t make the headlines. The Legislature now begins reviewing the budget and people to need to make their priorities known.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/construction-workers-s5.jpgFor years, people in occupations like the construction trades could get up to 12 weeks of UC wages when laid off seasonally. The rule helped local contractors keep their workforce intact until projects could resume and they were glad to pay for it, but in 2015 the Walker administration ended the practice for what it called cost savings. Sen. Erpenbach is introducing a bill to put it back.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwgb-students-s5.jpgGov. Walker talked this week about "working and winning", but his plan is to continue borrowing and raiding Peter to pay Paul. Our priority must be Wisconsin’s roads, schools and jobs. Wisconsinites never have, and never will stop putting in a hard day’s work.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/walker-state-denial-s5.jpgGovernor tries to rebuild sagging approval ratings with a reversal of education cuts, but neglects roads, income inequality, and families struggling with rising child care costs, student loan debt and retirement insecurity.

After Governor Walker’s disastrous budgets, he is finally backtracking on some of his deep education cuts to preserve his poll numbers, but what he is proposing is not enough to restore the damage he has caused. He’s making the same irresponsible mistakes with the state that he made with Milwaukee County.

MADISON – On Wednesday, the Democratic legislators on the Joint Committee on Finance held a press conference in advance of Governor Walker’s 2017-2019 Budget Address. The budget is introduced as the Governor faces a re-election fight and low approval ratings following years of historic cuts to cornerstone Wisconsin priorities, such as public school classrooms and universities.

“The proposals the governor is floating in the budget is an acknowledgement of his failure over the past six years to prioritize the programs most important to the people of Wisconsin,” said Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh). “Throughout his entire time in office, Governor Walker has applied a slash and burn approach to funding our schools and universities in order to afford his tax giveaways to the wealthy. The fact that he is now trying to take credit for pretending to fix the problems he created isn’t fooling anyone.”

“Anyone who thinks this is a budget that will actually address the problems Governor Walker created shouldn’t hold their breath,” said Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton). “While I have no doubt that he will present a budget that looks good on paper, it remains to be seen how realistic his proposals will be when it comes time for the Legislature to submit a budget that is actually balanced. Transportation financing is something we have heard nothing about in the Governor’s budget so we are left expecting another punt of leadership.”

“After Governor Walker’s disastrous budgets, he is finally backtracking on some of his deep education cuts to preserve his poll numbers,” said Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point). “This means he’s at last admitting that Republican cuts to our most precious institutions have failed the people of Wisconsin. But what he is proposing is not enough to restore the damage he has caused to our public schools and universities. It’s time for the state to make real investments in our children’s education.”

“I’ve been watching Scott Walker bungle budgets since he was Milwaukee County Executive,” said Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee). “He’s making the same irresponsible mistakes with the state that he made with the county. Budgets are about priorities and Governor Walker’s priority is politics over solving Wisconsin’s long-term problems.”

Shilling backs Compassionate Cannabis Care Act as Democrats partner with health professionals and patients in medical marijuana push.

MADISON – On the heels of a bipartisan effort to legalize marijuana oil for the treatment of children with seizures, Democratic legislators are pushing to expand access to comprehensive care through the use of medical marijuana.

The Compassionate Cannabis Care Act authored by Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) would legalize physician-supervised access to medical marijuana. The bill has gained widespread support from health professionals, patients and Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse).

“Most people view medical marijuana as an issue of providing comprehensive health care to those with serious illnesses,” said Shilling. “Medical research, scientific studies, and personal experiences clearly support the use of medical marijuana. I think it’s time to look at our laws and consider joining the majority of states that have already legalized medical marijuana to help treat patients with unbearable and debilitating pain.”

Medical marijuana is currently legal in 28 states including the border states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. In addition to expanding health care treatment options, states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana have experienced a nearly 25 percent drop in deaths from opioid overdoses compared to states that did not have those laws.

“Opioids kill 80 Americans every day,” added Shilling. “If we want to get serious about saving lives, everything should be on the table - especially since studies indicate that medical marijuana can be a more effective and less addictive treatment for pain. For cancer patients, glaucoma sufferers and other ailing citizens, medical marijuana is one potential tool health professionals can use to treat serious medical conditions and ease their suffering.”

National polling in May 2016 showed that 89 percent of Americans support medical marijuana. Organizational support for physician-supervised access to medical marijuana includes the Wisconsin Nurses Association, the Wisconsin Public Health Association, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Arthritis Research Campaign, the American Bar Association, the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of HIV Medicine and the Lymphoma Foundation of America.