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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers will on Thursday evening kick off his first week of virtual Badger Bounceback Live Sessions with a virtual discussion on economic recovery and opportunity in the state of Wisconsin. As highlighted in a video message from the governor, the listening session will cover topics such as investing in and supporting small businesses, kickstarting innovation and startups, ensuring tax fairness and providing tax relief for Wisconsin’s working families, and investing in the state’s agricultural economy and rural prosperity.
“We are kicking off our Badger Bounceback Live Sessions this week. On Thursday, we will be talking about economic recovery and opportunity and how our Badger Bounceback agenda puts our families, farmers, and small businesses in the best position to recover from this pandemic,” said Gov. Evers. “Folks, there’s a long road of recovery ahead of us and plenty of work to do, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work together.”
The governor’s Badger Bounceback budget proposal ensures families, communities, and the state can bounce back and better by investing in supporting small businesses, kickstarting innovation and startups, ensuring tax fairness and providing tax relief for Wisconsin’s working families, and investing in the agricultural economy and rural prosperity by:
- Providing a larger state investment in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) than the last three budgets combined;
- Investing more than $200 million in assisting small businesses;
- Creating a new $100 million venture capital program to jumpstart innovation;
- Providing $8 million over the biennium in funding for pandemic recovery grants to local workforce development boards;
- Investing $10 million over the biennium in the Fast Forward program supporting training for individuals, businesses, and organizations affected by the pandemic;
- Providing an additional $1 million over the biennium in the Fast Forward program for training specifically in green jobs throughout the state, encouraging career paths in conservation and sustainability;
- Increasing the state minimum wage and supporting low- and medium-income families with $450 million in tax relief; and
- Investing more than $43 million in Wisconsin’s agricultural industry and farm families to expand market opportunities and promote farming innovation.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Economic Recovery & Opportunity will occur on Thurs., March 18, 2021, at 6 p.m. Wisconsinites are invited to register to attend here and to learn more about the governor’s proposals on economic recovery and opportunity here. The live session will also be live streamed and available to watch any time on the governor’s YouTube channel here.
Last week, Gov. Evers announced he would be hosting series of virtual Badger Bounceback Live Sessions that will provide six opportunities for Wisconsinites to discuss, provide feedback, and share personal stories on the governor’s Badger Bounceback agenda and how it affects them, their families, and communities across the state while also having the opportunity to engage in the policymaking process as the 2021-23 budget moves through the legislative process. A full schedule of the Badger Bounceback Live Sessions is available below and on the governor’s website here.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Accessible & Affordable Healthcare
Thurs., March 25, 2021 at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Healthcare will cover topics such as expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare, protecting people who have pre-existing conditions, investing in mental health services, Medicaid/BadgerCare expansion, caregiving, and long-term care for aging and older adults and folks with disabilities.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Transportation & Infrastructure
Tues., March 30, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Transportation & Infrastructure will cover topics such as investments in transportation and infrastructure, fixing our roads and bridges, investing in transit and transportation alternatives, expanding access to broadband, and supporting local communities and government.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on What’s Best for Our Kids
Thurs., April 8, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on What’s Best for Our Kids will cover topics such as ensuring every kid has access to a high-quality, public education, providing mental health supports for students at schools, special education reimbursement rates, expanding access to early childhood education and childcare, and investing in our higher education institutions.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization
Wed., April 14, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization will cover topics such as addressing racial disparities in our justice system, legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, investing in treatment, rehabilitation, and other alternatives to incarceration, and programming to support safe community reentry.
Badger Bounceback Live Session on Climate Change & Our Environment
Wed., April 21, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Climate Change & Our Environment will cover topics such as investing in stewardship and making public lands more accessible, addressing lead poisoning prevention, keeping our water clean, addressing climate change and the climate crisis, and protecting our state’s natural resources.
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