Action Alerts

For information on DRW news, events, or press releases, please contact:
email media@drwi.org.

For information on DRW action alerts, public policy, or voting efforts, please contact:
Lisa Hassenstab at 608-308-2639 or lisah@drwi.org.

Survival Coalition Call-in Days: State Budget

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Survival Coalition Call-in Days: what to keep, change, and add to the state budget for people with disabilities The Joint Finance Committee has finished its work; the state budget must now be approved or amended further by the full State Senate and State Assembly. This is an important time to be in touch with your State Senator and Assembly Representative about your priorities for the state budget. Survival Coalition is hosting call-in days this Tuesday, Wednesday,…
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Take Action: Assembly to vote June 18th on Voting Bill

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On Tuesday June 18th, the Wisconsin Assembly will vote on AB 168. Current Wisconsin law requires all voters to speak their name and address to receive a ballot. AB 168 would require accommodation for voters who are unable to speak their name and address. Disability Rights Wisconsin asked policy makers to advance this policy change to address a barrier to voting for some voters with disabilities. We requested this change because of the concerns we…
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Take Action on the Special Education Budget

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ACTION ALERT: CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR NOW- Joint Finance Votes on Special Education Funding Thursday, May 23.   Special education funding has not increased across Wisconsin in the last decade and parents are reporting the impact on their children with disabilities. Governor Evers’ proposed state budget calls for a significant increase in special education funding to stop the $2 billion shortfall for school districts across Wisconsin. Joint Finance to consider three options; A. the Governor’s Recommendation;…
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State Budget Hearings – Make Your Voice Heard

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The State Budget process is moving forward. We encourage you to take an active role and share your budget priorities with your legislators and with the Joint Finance Committee which plays a lead role in budget decisions. This is a great opportunity to talk about funding for special education, mental health services, transportation, the caregiver crisis, ending the waiting list for the Children’s Long Term Support Medicaid waiver, support for youth and adults with mental…
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Act Today! Action Alert for Dental Access Bill

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Act Today! Action Alert for Dental Access package/ Dental Therapy Bill Access to dental care is a major problem for people with mental illness and other disabilities in Wisconsin, including children. We hope you will take action to ask your legislator to support a new bill that will help people get the dental care they need. What is happening: A dental therapy bill (LRB 1947) has been introduced in the legislature; dental therapy is also…
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Share Your Priorities for the Biennial Budget

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Share your priorities for the biennial budget with Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes. They are holding 4 community sessions to get input on priorities for the state budget. Sessions are scheduled in Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse, and Milwaukee. The state budget is very important in funding services for people with disabilities. Click here to see DRW’s priorities for the state budget. It’s important to have a strong turnout from the mental…
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Act Now – Call Governor Walker: 608-266-1212

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The State Senate and Assembly have passed on party lines legislation (SB 886/ AB 1072) that will create significant bureaucratic layers and barriers to make improvements and changes to all of Wisconsin’s Medicaid waiver programs like Family Care, IRIS, Children’s Long-Term Supports, autism services, mental health services such as CCS, and more. The bill awaits signature into law by the Governor. The legislature already has broad ability to direct the actions of the Department of…
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Contact State Legislators About Extraordinary Session Bills

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Legislative leaders are fast-tracking a package of bills released late Friday. These bills would significantly limit the role of the new Governor, impact services that are important to people with disabilities, and shorten the time period for absentee voting. The full Senate and Assembly will be voting TODAY to pass these bills. Contact your State Senator and Assembly Representative this morning to share your concerns. Call the toll free Legislative Hotline to reach your legislator:…
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Act Now – Contact Your State Legislators

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Special Session Bills Impact People with Disabilities Legislative leaders are trying to fast-track a package of bills released late Friday. These bills would significantly limit the role of the new Governor and would have unintended consequences for people with disabilities. Today, the Joint Finance Committee is holding a public hearing (12:30 PM in room 412 East in the State Capitol) on these proposals and is planning to vote them out of committee. The full Senate…
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Protect Immigrants with Disabilities – Your Voice Matters

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DRW Opposes Public Charge Rule Proposal On October 10, the US Department of Homeland Security announced a change to the “public charge” rule that would make it very difficult for immigrants with disabilities to legally enter the US. It is unfair, it is discriminatory, and it will hurt people with disabilities and their families. A “public charge” is someone who the government believes will be dependent on public benefits to meet their basic survival needs….
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