http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-office-line-s5.png"These Republican bills do nothing to help increase access to the workforce or help more people," says Senator. "Let’s work together to create pragmatic solutions..."

MADISON - Tuesday, Wisconsin Legislative Republicans released a slate of legislation under the guise of creating a stronger workforce. The bills demonize low-income workers and those who have been out of work due to no fault of their own during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“Government works best when it is working for the betterment of its people - when it is working to uplift everyone. The bills introduced today by my GOP colleagues are doing the opposite.

“These Republican bills do nothing to help increase access to the workforce or help more people - they will result in turning away folks who desperately need help. Rather than demonizing those who need help, let’s find ways to better support our neighbors through properly funded programs. These bills introduced today are dangerous and are not what we need to be focusing on.

“What we should be focusing on is raising the minimum wage, providing paid leave access to all Wisconsinites, reducing the cost of childcare, expanding Medicaid, and other proactive policy solutions that we know play a role in who is entering and staying in the workforce. It is past time we as a state invest in our workers. Let’s work together to create pragmatic solutions to help our workers.”