The state budget is how we help ensure that every family — regardless of zip code, income, or race — has a chance to thrive. But, over decades, powerful wealthy interests have rigged the rules, funneling the benefits of our hard work out of our communities and into their pockets.
As a result, Wisconsin faces some of the most tragic economic and racial disparities in the country. These intentional choices by legislators don’t just hurt their intended audience: Black, Brown, and immigrant families. They also hurt low-income rural white families. The state budget is our biggest opportunity this year to address the structural racism that holds everyone back.
We look forward to working with both sides of the aisle to ensure that this state budget includes every kid in Wisconsin.
Join us to hear our take on the state budget, and how we create a state where every kid can thrive.
Speakers
In addition to our team sharing their budget analyses, we are honored to have the following partners joining us to share their experiences:
Nailah Adama
Parent/Caregiver, Community Advocate, Teacher
Amanda Merkwae
Advocacy Director, ACLU of Wisconsin
Michelle Ramirez-White
Government Relations Director, Wisconsin Farmers Union
Kids Forward is a statewide antiracist policy center that inspires action and advocates for children and families of color and those furthest from opportunity in Wisconsin. We envision a Wisconsin where every child thrives.
Every student in the Fox Valley region deserves to receive the educational support and resources needed to help them achieve a bright future. Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant impacts on students in Wisconsin. These challenges were particularly acute for students who were more likely to be struggling prior to the pandemic, like students with lower incomes, students of color, and students who speak English as a second language. With federal pandemic relief funds drying up, state leaders must ensure schools have adequate resources and that students don’t fall even more behind.
Every child deserves a solid foundation in life, regardless of income. Affordable and accessible early care and education ensures that parents can get to work and sets children up for a strong start. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how child care is critical for children and families and why early care and education providers are an essential part of our local communities and a thriving economy.
On May Day: A Day without Latinx and Immigrants, Wisconsin lawmakers can lift up every family by restoring driver licenses for all. This would help keep families together, increase economic opportunities for working families, ensure safer roads, and boost state revenue.