Relief Program Integrity
The Assembly passed AB 308 this week, also called the Wisconsin Health Care Integrity Act, prohibiting any federal, state, or local funds from being used to subsidize, reimburse, or compensate for health care services for illegal immigrants.
Medical establishments will, as they are entrusted, provide a pertinent ethical level of care. That doesn’t change the laws of scarcity, however, and our finite resources are to be dedicated to citizens to whom we are obliged, not to illegal immigrants. Other states have decimated their finances without such a policy and have been forced to rein in their ballooning enrollments. Allowing such a level of financial mismanagement in Wisconsin would be absurdly unjust to taxpayers.
Given the necessity recognized by many for a robust and accessible health care system, we must ensure the integrity and quality thereof are protected by principally defining the scope of relief programs.
Options for Education Funding
Governor Evers indicated this week that he would refuse to opt in to a newly established federal scholarship tax credit, calling it “catastrophic” for public schools. The reality is that the credit would stimulate donations for scholarships for all students at no cost to Wisconsin.
The new credit could cover tutoring, technology, therapies, transportation, and other expenses across all types of schooling. It unlocks a new federal funding stream, allowing more philanthropy dollars to be allocated to education in Wisconsin, again at no cost to the state. Legislative Republicans have introduced a bill to allow the governor to reconsider by opting Wisconsin into the program with his signature. I sincerely hope he rethinks his position for the betterment of all students.
Fee Hikes for Livestock Producers
The Evers administration is continuing its blitz of new rules with its judicially granted authority, now unilaterally proposing fee increases on livestock producers up to almost 1700%.
Legitimate fiscal challenges can be addressed collaboratively, but with the legislature stripped of oversight, the fate of this proposal falls solely at the behest of the executive branch. We need your assistance in halting this fiscal incursion on agriculture. Click the image below to see the details and how to make your voice heard.
Remembering 9/11
Thursday this week was Patriot Day. It’s a time to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders on the ground, and the many others who carry physical and emotional scars from the events 24 years ago.
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Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
