Governor Evers will give his State of the Budget address tonight at 7 PM. You can watch the budget address on WisconsinEye. DRW is developing our analysis of the impact of the budget on Wisconsinites with disabilities. We will provide budget briefings at a number of locations around the state, with our partners the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and The Arc Wisconsin.
Public Policy Posts
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.
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:
Governor Evers Announces Dental Access Initiative
Governor Evers will give his budget address on February 28th. In advance of the budget address, some budget initiatives will be released. On February 11th, Governor Evers announced a $43 Million investment to expand dental access. Many Wisconsinites with disabilities have difficulty accessing dental care, and the budget proposal has the potential to improve access. You can share your perspective on dental services for people with disabilities by contacting the Governor’s office and your state…
Lawmakers Propose To Rid State Administrative Code Of “The R-Word”
Representative John Jagler discusses his and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald’s proposal to remove the phrase “mental retardation” from Wisconsin administrative code and replace it with “intellectual disability.” Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Barbara Beckert explains why language matters. Here is a link to the story.
DRW Comments on Preexisting Condition Guaranteed Coverage Act
The Assembly Committee on Health held a public hearing on Assembly Bill regarding Pre-Existing Condition Guaranteed Coverage Act. DRW submitted informational comments to explain what effect AB 1 might have on people with disabilities. Here is a link the bill.
Share Your Priorities for the Biennial Budget
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…
Contact State Legislators About Extraordinary Session Bills
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:…
Extraordinary Session Puts Wisconsinites with Disabilities at Risk
Disability Rights Wisconsin is deeply concerned by the Legislature’s rush to push forward bills released late Friday in the Extraordinary Session planned for today. The proposals give oversight of Wisconsin Medicaid waivers to the legislature, leaving state agencies potentially unable to carry out their core mission. This shift has the possibility to affect services that are critical to adults and families of children with disabilities, including Family Care, IRIS, mental health services, Children’s Long-Term Waiver…
2019 – 2021 Biennial Budget Priorities
Disability Rights Wisconsin asks policy makers to support the following priorities for Wisconsinites with disabilities in the 2019 – 2021 Biennial Budget. Check out our recommendations which address services for Children And Families, Education, Juvenile Justice/ Criminal Justice, Medicaid, Mental Health, Supported Employment, Transportation and Self Determination.
Protect Immigrants with Disabilities – Your Voice Matters
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….
ABLE Account Survey – Share Your Experience
The ABLE Act was passed by Congress in 2014. ABLE accounts create a new option for some people with disabilities and their families to save for the future for specific expenses, while protecting eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other public benefits. The National Council on Disability (NCD) has been charged by Congress to provide recommendations on how to improve ABLE implementation. YOUR HELP NEEDED: We are asking individuals with disabilities and their families who may…
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