Governor Evers’ 2021-2023 Budget Supports Working People Through Pandemic, Provides Needed Funds to Tackle COVID

(February 16, 2021, MILWAUKEE, WI) – Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement on Governor Tony Evers’ 2021-2023 Biennial Budget Address:

“Recognizing the hardship and economic uncertainty Wisconsin families are facing, Governor Evers’ Budget addresses the needs of our schools, communities, workforce, and healthcare providers so that we can beat the pandemic while providing real support and relief for working families. Tonight, the Governor has unveiled a comprehensive Biennial Budget grounded in Wisconsin values that supports working people through the continued crisis of the pandemic, makes key investments in infrastructure and workforce training, and lays the foundation for a more prosperous Wisconsin for all.

As essential workers are doing so much to keep our economy moving during this pandemic, Governor Evers correctly restores basic protections that are the right of anyone who works for a living. We applaud the Governor for including the repeal of Wisconsin’s so-called Right to Work law, restoring collective bargaining rights for public employee front line workers, restoring prevailing wage laws, and eliminating the prohibition on Project Labor Agreements. These are pro-worker policies that grow our economy with family-supporting jobs and increase economic opportunity for all.

We urge the Joint Finance Committee and the Wisconsin Legislature to use the Governor’s Budget as a blueprint for the future. It’s time to support every working persons’ right to a union and fully fund the public services our communities need in order to beat the pandemic and restart our economy.”