Wisconsin Republicans Continue Obstructing Wisconsin’s Priorities

MADISON, Wis. — According to new reporting from the Cap Times, an anonymous lawmaker on the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee is blocking funding intended to combat the opioid epidemic.

“Do-nothing Republicans in the Legislature are holding hostage funding to address real and immediate challenges facing our communities, and Wisconsinites are suffering because of it,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Deputy Communications Director Haley McCoy. “The obstruction we’re seeing from Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee is downright dangerous—there is simply no excuse for keeping this funding from the Wisconsinites who desperately need help. Rest assured: true accountability for the obstruction and petty political power grabs perpetrated by do-nothing Republicans is coming at the ballot box this November.”

Here’s some of the priorities that Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee have obstructed:

• Stabilizing Health Care in Western Wisconsin: Last week, multiple Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee skipped a special committee meeting to release $15 million in already-approved funding to support health care in western Wisconsin, choosing instead to attend a private fundraising dinner in Washington D.C.
   
• Addressing Toxic PFAS in Wisconsin’s Water Supply: For nearly 300 days, JFC Republicans have refused to release $125 million in approved funding to address PFAS contamination in water across the state, leaving local communities and residents to grapple with toxic forever chemicals in their water alone.
   
• Combating the Opioid Epidemic: An anonymous lawmaker on the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee has objected to the state Department of Health Services’ comprehensive plan to distribute $36 million in settlement funding from an opioid lawsuit that would help local communities, law enforcement, and health providers combat the opioid epidemic statewide.

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