On September 26th, the Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections and Consumer Protection held an informational hearing regarding: Barriers Faced by Elderly Voters and Voters with Disabilities, a June 2023 report of the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC). Invited speakers were Barbara Beckert, Director of External Advocacy for Disability Rights Wisconsin, and Denise Jess, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Barbara and Denise provided an overview of the WEC’s Polling Place…
Public Policy Posts
For information on DRW news, events, or press releases, please contact:
Bob Poeschl at 920-944-2544 or 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.
Visit our DRW Public Policy page for general information about our Public Policy activity and our positions on disability-related issues.
Below you will find our most recent Public Policy posts:
Department of Justice Voting Listening Session
Thank you to the Wisconsin voters with disabilities and allies who spoke so powerfully at the September 11th Voting Listening Session hosted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin and the Department of Justice’s Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division. The listening session was an opportunity to share barriers experienced by Wisconsin voters with disabilities. DRW staff joined voters from across Wisconsin to share their experience with barriers…
DRW Comments for September 7, 2023 WI Elections Commission Meeting
The Wisconsin Elections Commission met on September 7th. Disability Rights Wisconsin provided public comments regarding the draft Administrative Rule on Election Observers, Mandatory Use of Uniform Instructions for Absentee Voting, and Updated Uniform Instructions for Wisconsin Absentee Voters. Learn more about the Wisconsin Elections Commission September 2023 Meeting. Read Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Public Comments here (accessible PDF).
DRW Public Comments for August 29 Senate Elections Committee Hearing
The Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections, and Consumer Protection held a public hearing on August 29th. Disability Rights Wisconsin submitted public comments supporting Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator, Meagan Wolfe, for her dedicated and effective work to improve the accessibility of Wisconsin elections and to uphold the state and federal laws that protect the rights of voters with disabilities. DRW supports her continued service as Administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Read Disability Rights Wisconsin’s…
State Budget Update for Disability Advocates
Governor Evers recently signed into law the state 2023 – 25 biennial budget. The budget determines how Wisconsin will fund state programs and services for the next two years. Here are links to some resources with information about the final budget: Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations has prepared a chart that compares the disability priorities advocates asked to be included in the budget with the Governor’s proposed budget and the budget approved by the…
Update on the Wisconsin State Legislature
This is a busy time at the Wisconsin State Legislature with many hearings on legislation. Today DRW provided testimony on two bills that would impact people with disabilities. Pamela Hencke provided testimony in support of AB 121 / SB 122 which would make it easier for Wisconsin residents to establish tax-exempt savings accounts for people with disabilities under the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE). View the AB 121 / SB 122 testimony here…
DRW’s Biennial Budget and Policy Priorities for Wisconsinites with Disabilities
2023 is a biennial budget year in Wisconsin. Governor Evers will present his proposed Biennial Budget to the Legislature on February 15. It will be referred to the Joint Committee on Finance which will take a lead role in developing the biennial budget and will hold public hearings. Disability Rights Wisconsin has identified our policy and budget priorities for Wisconsinites with disabilities. This document was developed to serve as a resource for policymakers and for…
DRW Testifies in Support of Ban on Conversion Therapy
On Thursday, January 12, the Joint Committee on the Review of Administrative Rules is meeting at the Wisconsin State Capitol for a public hearing and then vote on a motion to suspend the portion of the Social Workers Conduct Code banning Conversion Therapy. Disability Rights Wisconsin provided public comments at the hearing, supporting the ban on conversion therapy in Conduct Code MPSW 20 and opposing suspension of the ban, which has been strongly supported by…
Governor Evers Hosts 2023-25 Biennial Budget Listening Sessions
Join Governor Evers for a Budget Listening Session. Several sessions have been scheduled and are listed below with a link to register. These sessions will provide the governor and his Administration with an opportunity to hear directly from Wisconsinites about their priorities for the 2023-2025 biennial budget. Sessions will begin with a large group meeting where participants will hear from Governor Evers and members of his Administration. After the introduction, all participants will be able…
DRW Comments to JCRAR Supporting WEC Proposed Rule
Disability Rights Wisconsin submitted comments to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules supporting Emergency Rule 2209 which would allow Wisconsin clerks to continue their current practice of correcting minor errors on absentee ballot certificate envelopes. DRW supports the proposed rule because it will honor the will of the voter and provide clarity and uniformity to the clerks across the state, allowing them to rectify these small technical mistakes that have nothing to do with the…
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