One More for Today: Speak Up about the Wisconsin budget

The following is from a email from the Wisconsin Council of Churches

"Speak out for those who cannot speak . . . defend the rights of the poor and needy." -- Proverbs 31:8-9

The Wisconsin State Legislature is expected to vote on the state budget THIS WEEK, with the Assembly voting Tuesday, June 14 and the Senate voting on June 16. The Governor may sign it as soon as Friday.

The budget includes many measures that will have serious impacts on the most vulnerable residents in our state in the next two years and beyond. Those of greatest concern include:

·    Reducing the Earned Income Tax Credit by $56 million, increasing taxes for 152,000 low-wage working families with children;

·    Ending inflation adjustment for the Homestead Tax Credit, costing low-income households $13.6 million;

·    Cutting about $500 million in state general purpose revenue from Medicaid, including $111 from Family Care, which provides flexible options in long-term care for the elderly and people with disabilities;

   Elimination of Foodshare for qualified legal immigrants who have been in the U.S. less than 5 years