Advocacy

The state budget is the one significant piece of legislation that absolutely must be passed by the State Legislature and the Governor, no matter how deadlocked they are about everything else. The budget decides how much money is available for schools, public transportation, prisons, alternatives to prison, transitional jobs, health care, etc. for the next two years.

You are invited to join us for a Webinar about the 2021-23 Wisconsin State Budget process, especially about the ways that ordinary people can have an influence on how our tax dollars are invested.

Tuesday, January 12
5:00 to 6:00 pm

To sign up, click on this link: State Budget Webinar
Fill out the form, and you should get a return email from "WISDOM Host" that will include a link to join the Zoom call at 5 pm.

Scores of WISDOM people participated in the Governor's Listening Sessions back in December. This webinar is the next step. There will be more, leading up to our Madison Action Day on April 15.

Last week, we all saw the wrong way for people to try to make their voices heard. This week, we'll be talking about the right way!

Please join us on December 21 at 6:00 pm in Madison for a Candlelight Vigil to remember those who have died of COVID-19 in our state prisons.

We know that at least 19 people have died in Wisconsin prisons since the pandemic began. We believe there are probably more. We know that, as of this week, almost HALF of all people in prison have tested positive for COVID-19, in contrast to less than 10% of the overall population. We have no way of knowing how many of them have become seriously ill. We also know that hundreds of corrections workers have contracted the virus. Meanwhile, the Governor has not acted to offer clemency, to commute sentences or to release very low-risk people – so that others might have a chance to socially distance – even though his power to do so is clear.

December 21 is the longest night of the year. Let us gather to pray and to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in prison. If you cannot join us, please take a moment at 6 pm Monday to remember those who have died, those who are sick, and those who have the power and the responsibility to care for the people in our prisons.

Budget Listening Session on Criminal Justice Reform

Governor Evers is holding virtual listening sessions as he prepares his 2021-23 State Budget proposal.  Wisconsinites are encouraged to offer their thoughts and recommendations for the Governor to consider.

To be allowed to participate, you need to register. You can do so at the Governor's website here. You can watch the live-stream on Wis-Eye here.

You can also submit written comments or suggestions here.

There will be a WISDOM Zoom meeting on December 8 at 5:00 pm (the hour before the Governor’s “Criminal Justice” listening session), specifically to talk about WISDOM’s priorities for criminal justice reform in the coming state budget. If you would like to join that Zoom in order to prepare for the Listening Session, please email david.liners1@gmail.com to receive the link. Among other things, WISDOM wants the Governor to:

• keep his campaign promise to increase Treatment Alternatives and Diversions (TAD) funding by $15 million per year
• pledge that there will be no money for new prisons or for prison expansions
• plan for the closing of the Green Bay Correctional Institution and redirect that money to a Justice Reinvestment Fund that can go to programs that benefit the people and communities that have been most badly hurt by mass incarceration.

Criminal Justice Reform & Government Budgets

Moderator: Peggy West-Schroder, EXPO Program Director

Please register in advance for this Zoom presentation:

Register Now

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Part of the “Autumn of Action” series coordinated by WISDOM, this presentation is sponsored by WISDOM/EXPO