In the 2021-23 biennial state budget process, more than 1,000 Sierra Club activists advocated for an environmentally just state budget that addressed water pollution, transportation barriers, public land access, conservation and climate change. Thousands of messages were sent to decision-makers, hundreds of phone calls were made, and a dozen meetings with legislators were held. This advocacy created a powerful executive budget proposed by Governor Evers, with many of Sierra Club’s priorities receiving funding and support.
But all of that powerful advocacy was not enough to overcome the games that the Joint Finance Committee and legislature played with Wisconsin’s air and water. The state budget that was passed removed many programs and funding increases that would have moved Wisconsin forward. Chapter Director Elizabeth Ward said, “The majority of this budget maintains the status quo, which means lead in drinking water, public lands strapped for funding, air pollution, barriers to clean energy and energy efficiency, and a transportation system that is not working for Wisconsin residents.” Removal of these necessary programs means that Wisconsinites’ health and wellbeing will continue to be negatively impacted by unclean air and water, climate change and lack of adequate transportation.
Especially egregious is the transportation budget, which decreases transit funding aids by 50% to Madison and Milwaukee transit systems in fiscal year 2022 and green-lights the $1.1 billion I-94 E/W highway expansion project in Milwaukee.
“The budget does even more damage than inaction. The transportation budget in particular is adding insult to injury. Taking $41 million from Madison and Milwaukee transit systems and then turning around and spending $40m in this budget on the I-94 E/W expansion in Milwaukee is atrocious. Public transportation is critical for stopping a climate catastrophe and is an essential form of transportation, especially for people with disabilities and older adults who cannot drive, people who cannot afford to drive, and people who do not want to drive. Transit is essential for our economy and provides access to jobs, and it is beneficial for the climate, for public health, and for increasing racial and economic justice.” - Elizabeth Ward, Chapter Director, Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter
Sierra Club will not put lipstick on this pig of a budget. However, we are committed to finding every venue possible for making change on these important issues, and we know that Sierra Club activists will be there pushing for climate action and for every Wisconsinite to have clean water, clean air, and access to transportation and public lands.
To learn more about Sierra Club’s priorities, the state budget, and action we are taking to address these pressing issues, see the chart below.
To access a color-coded version of this chart, click here.
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Sierra Club Ask |
Gov Evers Proposed Budget |
JFC/Legislative Budget
This is the version of the budget that passed. Gov Evers did veto some items, but since many of the programs listed below were eliminated, there wasn’t much there he could veto to improve upon our priorities |
Other possibilities for moving initiative forward |
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County Conservation Staffing |
$3,600,000 SEG in FY22 and $3,708,000 SEG in FY23 for grants to counties for county conservation staff + $1,800,000 GPR in each year for grants to counties for additional county conservation staff |
Base budget funding, removing additional funding proposed by Gov |
We need the legislature to take action on this (A bill was proposed following the Task Force on Water Quality sessions, but the Legislature has yet to do anything on it. ) |
|
Replacement of Lead Service Lines |
funding under the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program for the replacement of lead service lines ($40m for FY22).
|
This program was removed |
There is a possibility that federal COVID relief dollars could help address this at the state or local level |
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Double Focus on Energy |
allow the commission to double the funds available to the Focus on Energy program to 2.4 percent of each utility's annual operating revenues. The Governor also recommends creating a dedicated program targeted at helping low income energy customers. |
Increase and updates to the program were removed from the budget |
We need new legislation in order to accomplish this
There are other opportunities to get more energy efficiency funding including:
|
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No I94 Enumeration |
enumeration of the I-94 East-West project roughly between the Marquette and Zoo interchanges in Milwaukee County. |
Enumeration of I94 E/W |
The I94 E/W project does not have completed studies nor a federal record of decision, presenting other venues for advocacy
The Governor still has the opportunity to cancel the project and the Dept of Transportation has committed to a thorough process for public input before moving forward |
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Increase to Mass Transit Operating Aids by $50m/year. |
increasing general transit aids by 2.5 percent in calendar year 2022 ($705,900) and calendar year 2023 ($2,841,400). |
Cut transit aid funding 50% from Madison and Milwaukee; 2.5% increase in FY 2023 |
Federal COVID relief dollars to Madison and Milwaukee could cover the gaps the budget left. Additionally, Bus Rapid Transit is moving forward in Madison and Milwaukee, which will provide additional transit options in these places. |
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Increase paratransit and specialized transit
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Increases to paratransit and specialized transit |
Ups Paratransit Aids by 2.5% each year and funding for the specialized transportation assistance program for seniors and individuals with disabilities by 2.5% annually. |
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Transportation Alternatives Program to $10m/year |
additional funding for the transportation alternatives program in each year ($1m per year) |
Eliminated the increase |
The Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program and similar programs could be used for hiking and biking trails. |
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Enable RTAs |
exclusion to county and municipal levy limits for cross-municipality transit routes where the counties and municipalities meet a number of criteria |
Removed this measure |
|
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PFAS Action Plan |
Development, fund and implementation of a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances action plan |
Removed this program |
The DNR is working on new protections for PFAS
The CLEAR Act has been introduced that provides a comprehensive solution to PFAS
|
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Stewardship Reauthorization at $70m/year for 10 years |
extending the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until fiscal year 2031-32 at $70 million per year |
Reauthorization and base budget funding, which removed the increase in funds proposed by Gov |
We can protect some of Wisconsin’s public lands by opposing destructive proposals that would harm our state parks, like Kohler Company’s plans to build a golf course by disrupting the Kohler-Andrae state park. |
|
Free Admission to State Parks for Fourth Graders |
Recommends this policy + GPR transfer to the department to make up for the revenue lost under this initiative (estimated at $243,600 in each year) |
Removed this program |
Separate legislation has been introduced on this program with bipartisan support |
|
Well Compensation |
funding for financial assistance under the well compensation program |
Base budget funding, removed the increase in funds proposed by Gov |
We need the legislature to take action on this (A bill was proposed following the Task Force on Water Quality sessions, but the Legislature has yet to do anything on it. ) |
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CAFO fees |
increasing the annual fee assessed to operators of concentrated animal feeding operations and establishing an application fee for new operators of a concentrated animal feeding operation |
Base budget funding, removed the increase in funds proposed by Gov |
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Other climate & EJ initiatives |
Water stewardship grant program, carbon markets, social cost of carbon, low cost debt financing of clean energy, securitization of power plants, bonding for EVs, complete streets, eminent domain for non motorized paths, drivers licenses for undocumented people, automatic voter registration, tribal elderly transportation grants, urban forestry program, flood controls, runoff management, ban on coal tar based sealants, auxiliary container ban, tribal relations program, environmental justice office, Equity and Inclusion staff, local grants to pursue carbon-free, renewable energy incentives, green job training |
Removed any new programs and the increase in funds proposed by Gov |
The Climate Change Task Force, and some agencies like the PSC through the Roadmap to Zero Docket, continue to pursue administrative options for implementing some of these programs. |