The Wisconsin Legislature's powerful budget-writing committee – the Joint Finance Committee – will hold four public hearings next month on Governor Tony Evers' proposed $91 billion state budget bill. The committee has scheduled three in-person hearings and one virtual hearing for the following dates and locations:

·     April 9 – University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

·     April 21 – Rhinelander, WI (Hodag Dome)

·     April 22 – University of Wisconsin-Stout (Menomonie, WI)

·     April 28 – Virtual hearing

The public hearings will begin at 10:00 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM. Due to COVID-19, capacity at each hearing site will be closely monitored. Individuals wishing to testify at the virtual hearing will be required to register in advance.

The hearings will provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the state’s two-year spending plan and suggest modifications to the proposal before the Finance Committee votes to make what is anticipated to be extensive changes to Evers' budget bill. Once the committee finishes its work, the budget bill will be considered by the full Legislature.

For individuals who cannot attend the public hearings, but wish to comment on the budget proposal, the following online portal is available for the public to provide input on the bill: www.legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments.

If you have any questions on the state budget bill, would like more information, or need assistance on how to engage in the budget process, please contact WiHPCA’s government affairs team at Hoven Consulting.