MADISON – Wisconsin State Senator LaTonya Johnson (D – Milwaukee) made the following statement regarding the refusal by legislative Republicans to vote to save the state money by expanding BadgerCare in Wisconsin, as called for by Gov. Evers’ special session:

“During a once-in-a-century deadly pandemic, communities of color were hit especially hard all across our nation. Wisconsin has some of the worst infant mortality rates for African American children and is deemed as the worst place in the country to raise a Black child.  It is disturbing to see Republicans still treat Wisconsinites like political pawns rather than human beings that have a right to afford quality health care.

“I am disappointed, but not surprised, that legislative Republicans again turned their back on the people they are supposed to represent and did not even show up to debate why. It is a dangerous pattern for Republicans who control the Legislature to ignore the will of the people in our state, especially when it jeopardizes the health of our families and rejects one billion dollars that could be spent on improving our communities.”