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:
Barbara Beckert at 414-292-2724 or barbara.beckert@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:

Join us for Free Zoom Trainings on the State Budget!

Man speaking at a listening session
What will the training provide? A summary of the WI state budget as it relates to people with disabilities and their families. Advocacy tools for talking to your legislator about important issues. Training Dates and Links Registration is required! Thursday, March 18; 12:00PM – 1:30PM: Email to register for March 18th at 12:00PM Thursday, March 18; 6:00PM – 7:30PM: Registration Link for March 18th at 6:00PM Thursday, March 25; 12:00PM – 1:30PM: Registration Link for…
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Join us for Free Zoom Trainings on the State Budget!

Man speaking at a listening session
What will the training provide? A summary of the WI state budget as it relates to people with disabilities and their families. Advocacy tools for talking to your legislator about important issues. Training Dates and Links Registration is required! Thursday, March 18; 12:00PM – 1:30PM: Email to register for March 18th at 12:00PM Thursday, March 18; 6:00PM – 7:30PM: Registration Link for March 18th at 6:00PM Thursday, March 25; 12:00PM – 1:30PM: Registration Link for…
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DRW Applauds Budget Initiatives for People with Disabilities

Interlocking gears labeled Public Policy
On February 16, Governor Ever presented his biennial budget proposal, which includes many positive initiatives for people with disabilities.  Disability Rights Wisconsin is encouraged by the comprehensive initiatives in the budget and released this statement. View DRW’s statement here (accessible PDF). For additional information: Read Governor Evers 2021-23 Biennial Budget Message here. Watch the Governor’s Budget Address here. Read Governor Evers’ Budget in Brief here. Read Governor Evers’ 21-23 Executive Budget (Complete Document) here.
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DRW Priorities for the 2021-2023 Biennial Budget

Interlocking gears labeled Public Policy
Disability Rights Wisconsin asks policy makers to support the following priorities for Wisconsinites with disabilities.  These programs and services are vitally important to Wisconsin adults and children with disabilities and support opportunities to live, work, learn, and enjoy life in the community. Read about D.R.W.’s Biennial Budget and Policy Priorities here (accessible PDF).
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Register Now for Disability Advocacy Day

A group of disability advocates are standing in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Registration is now open for Survival Coalition’s Virtual Disability Advocacy Day 2021! Join us March 23rd from 10am to noon to get connected to your legislators and talk about what matters to you! View the Disability Advocacy Day event flyer here (accessible PDF). The event is free but registration is required to participate. Please remember to use your home address so you can be matched with your legislators. You can register here: Event Registration Link
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DRW supports AB250 to improve ASL interpreter certification

Woman signing for another person.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, the Committee on Workforce Development will hold a hearing on AB 250—a bill to change and improve the certification of American Sign Language interpreters. The bill will create standards for interpreters in different technical situations that often require accurate interpretation of complex or sensitive information, such as legal, mental health and medical settings. Stakeholders have been deeply involved in the development of this bill. DRW submits testimony to support AB…
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Assembly Committee Advances Voting Bill – AB168

Barbara Beckert holding a Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition t-shirt and Ramsey Lee
On May 29th, AB 168 was passed unanimously by the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections. Disability Rights Wisconsin supported this bill which would clarify the requirement for stating name and address prior to voting. Under the bill, if a voter is unable to state his or her name and address, the voter may present his or her identification to the election official. The election official, or another person selected by the voter, must…
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Update on the State Budget and Medicaid Expansion

DRW staff standing with Governor Evers
DRW has supported Medicaid expansion in the state budget, because it will benefit people with disabilities by providing access to critical services, helping to address the caregiver crisis and leveraging $1.6 billion in additional funding for vital services. Last night, the legislature’s budget writing committee announced they plan to remove Medicaid expansion from the budget; this removes the funding source for many investments that would positively impact people with disabilities and older adults. It is…
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DRW State Budget Recommendations

Wisconsin State Capitol
Disability Rights Wisconsin has reviewed the Governor’s budget for proposals that may be important to people with disabilities and their families. There is one more opportunity to weigh in on the Governor’s Budget at the Joint Finance Hearing in Green Bay on April 24th at University of Wisconsin Green Bay, University Union, Phoenix Rooms. This is an important opportunity to share your priorities for the budget with policymakers. You can also send your comments to…
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DRW Joins Lawsuit to Prevent Enforcement of Bills Passed by Wisconsin Legislature

Wisconsin legislature at state capitol
DRW has joined with the League of Women Voters, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities and several other plaintiffs to file a lawsuit today in Dane County Circuit Court challenging the enforceability of the legislation adopted during an “extraordinary session” of the Wisconsin Legislature last month. The lawsuit asks the court to prevent the Wisconsin Election Commission and Governor Tony Evers from enforcing or implementing any of the provisions of the newly enacted laws. The lawsuit…
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