Sen. James requests state budget feedback

I wanted to provide a state government update that I hope will be helpful to you. Here in the capitol, we have started our state budget process for 2023-2025. If you didn’t know, Wisconsin has a $7 billion surplus. This came about due to responsible, conservative budgeting choices over the last decade, increased tax revenue and extra funds because of federal COVID dollars. This budget is due to be finished this summer and will determine our financial future as a state. What happens next? The legislature will take the governor’s ideas and input from the people of Wisconsin during statewide listening sessions. The Joint Finance Committee will craft the budget that both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate will vote on, and then it will head to the governor’s desk. Many of you have felt the strain of inflation over this last year. I wanted to write and let you know that we are going to do what we can as state legislators to help protect your pocketbook. Thankfully, our last budget was strong. We funded roads, furthered broadband, achieved historic school funding, built our rainy day fund and expanded mental health services. We hope to craft another budget that will help our state grow and sustain us. Personally, I am hoping to see us make improvements in areas of mental health, staffing shortages, and continuing to keep taxes low.

If you have thoughts about what our budget should include, I encourage you to visit my website (senjessejames.com) and share your opinion in the budget survey linked there. You can also attend my listening session with Rep. Donna Rozar at the Loyal American Legion Hall this Friday, March 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

I know I can speak for my colleagues when I say it is an honor to serve you all, and we will do our best to consider what is important to you.

Jesse James