Featuring word cloud of Gov. Tony Evers' 2020 State of the State address. Size indicates the frequency of words. (WBAY, TV-2, Green Bay Wisconsin)
Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes have announced a series of People’s Budget virtual listening sessions as the state begins the 2021-2023 state budget process. Gov. Evers and Lt. Gov. Barnes will host four virtual, issue-based budget listening sessions to hear directly from families and workers about the issues affecting Wisconsin.
“Our first budget was crafted by and with the people of our state, and this budget will be no different,” said Gov. Evers. “The listening sessions for our 2019-21 budget were successful in helping us develop a budget that reflected the stories, experiences, and priorities of folks across our state. Although we won’t be able to host these listening sessions in-person this time around, I look forward to visiting with Wisconsinites virtually and hearing their thoughts and feedback as we put together the People’s Budget.”
All participants must register to attend on the governor’s website here. Wisconsinites are also welcome to submit written comments on any topic at any time here. Members of the press are invited to attend and will receive RSVP information in advance of the listening sessions.
A full schedule of these listening sessions is available below and on the governor’s website here.
“Budget Listening Sessions
Inscribed on the ceiling of the Governor’s Conference Room is a phrase, “The Will of the People is the Law of the Land.” It was in the spirit of these words that the governor and lieutenant governor traveled the state hosting listening sessions to hear directly from the people of Wisconsin in 2018. Together, they crafted the 2019-2021 state budget—The People’s Budget—that represented the will of Wisconsinites across our state.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep folks safer at home, the governor is once again calling on Wisconsinites to share their thoughts at virtual listening sessions. Because The People’s Budget listening sessions are being held virtually this year, listening sessions will be focused by topic area:
Healthcare and Public Health
Environment, Infrastructure, and the Economy
Criminal Justice Reform
Our Kids and Education
These listening sessions will provide the governor with an opportunity to hear about the issues affecting our communities and our state directly from Wisconsin families and workers.
Wisconsinites interested in helping craft the 2021-23 People’s Budget can submit a written public comment on any topic at any time here. If you are interested in participating in the People’s Budget listening sessions, you can register to attend below.
Each listening session will begin with all participants in a large group meeting where they will hear from both Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Barnes. After the introduction, all participants will be automatically moved to small group breakout rooms where they can have a more in-depth discussion on various budget topics. The governor and lieutenant governor will cycle through the smaller group discussions to listen to the conversation throughout the evening.
Staff from the governor and lieutenant governor’s offices, as well as policy experts from our administration, will be in each breakout room to help facilitate discussion and take notes on feedback, ideas, and suggestions from Wisconsinites. In addition to the governor and lieutenant, members of the governor’s cabinet, administration members, and state legislators, will likely also be in attendance.
Budget Listening Session on Healthcare and Public Health
Tuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m.
Budget Listening Session on Environment, Infrastructure, and the Economy
Wednesday, December 2 at 6 p.m.
Registration will be live one week before the listening session date.
Budget Listening Session on Criminal Justice Reform
Tuesday, December 8 at 6 p.m.
Registration will be live one week before the listening session date.
Budget Listening Session on Our Schools and Education
Wednesday, December 16 at 6 p.m.
Registration will be live one week before the listening session date.”
