Gov. Evers’ First Budget Great Start for Wisconsin Workers

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement on Gov. Tony Evers’ first biennial budget address on February 28, 2019.

“Gov. Evers laid out a commonsense, bipartisan budget this evening. Within his budget are many proposals that help working families and strengthen the health and well-being of communities across the state.

Gov. Evers’ budget hits a lot of right notes for workers and the economy. The repeal of Right to Work is a step towards a healthier middle class with strong union rights. Restoring prevailing wage and the right to a project labor agreement will grow our economy with family-supporting jobs while ensuring our construction projects are completed safely on time and on budget.

With this budget, Gov. Evers takes a step toward better jobs by calling for a rise in the minimum wage, higher starting pay for corrections officers, and tax breaks for working families. By funding the replacement of lead water services to keep our families safe -- much of which is done by skilled union men and women -- we can create good jobs and ensure safe drinking water for every Wisconsinite.

We look forward to working with Governor Tony Evers to complete the reversal of each and every one of the attacks on working people from the previous administration. This includes restoring the full breadth of all collective bargaining rights to public sector workers and their unions.

It is now up to the majority in the legislature to stop partisan posturing and get to work on behalf of Wisconsin families. Working people will be engaged in the budget process. We encourage every working Wisconsinite to make their voice heard at forthcoming budget listening sessions.”