The State legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has finished one-third of the public hearings on the 2017-2019 state budget.  There are three more public hearings remaining:

Tuesday, April 18 (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)Spooner high School (Auditorium)801 County Highway ASpooner, WI 54801


Wednesday, April 19 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Ellsworth High School (Gymnasium)323 West Hillcrest St. Ellsworth, WI 54011


Friday, April 21 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Marinette High School (Auditorium)2135 Pierce Ave.Marinette, WI 54143

Reports from the first two hearings indicate turnouts have been lower than in the past several budgets and while several people have testified on aging and disability issues at each of the hearings, more voices are needed!  
Some may feel there is no need to testify (orally or in writing) on the budget as they may not see any significant budget cuts or changes proposed for aging and disability programs.  Please know two very important programs funded in the last budget – healthy aging grants and the dementia care specialist program – are not funded in the 2017 – 2019 budget and will not be funded unless we ask members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to add funding for these programs. 
The proposed budget includes small increases for some programs such as specialized transportation and the Medicaid Personal Care program.  These increases do not reflect the actual need and are not guaranteed to stay in the budget.  This is your opportunity to let member of the JFC know what you like and what you don’t like!   
Don’t assume somebody else will be there to advocate for the issues that are important to you and the older adults and people with disabilities in your community!  YOU are that somebody! You have the knowledge, expertise and responsibility to let these policymakers know how this budget will impact older adults and how they can make it better!
The JFC testimony is being limited to two minutes, so come prepared with short remarks and leave copies of longer written testimony.  For additional information, including how and where to submit written testimony if you are unable to attend a hearing, see Tips for Testifying Before the Joint Finance Committee.