Sierra Club Applauds Governor Evers’s Budget Proposal

Budget takes dramatic step forward on climate action, environmental justice, and safe drinking water

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers announced his proposal yesterday for the 2023- 2025 Biennial State Budget. The proposal includes funding for climate programs, drinking water programs and more.

In response, Wisconsin Sierra Club Chapter Director Elizabeth Ward issued the following statement:

“Governor Evers’ budget takes Wisconsin's historic surplus and invests it in Wisconsinites’ health and communities.  The budget funds our public lands, state parks and programs to clean up our water with increases to our well compensation program, implementation of the Governor’s PFAS plan, and programs addressing lead pipe pollution. The budget also creates a pathway for the state to partner with local communities to reduce climate emissions and pursue carbon-free electricity. 

It's disappointing to see a budget that prioritizes healthy communities and action on climate that still provides funding increases for highway expansions, including the widening of I-94 E/W in Milwaukee.”

Some of the highlights from Governor Evers proposed budget:

• Environmental Justice: the budget funds a long-overdue office on Environmental Justice and funds an equity officer in each state department.
• Focus on Energy Funding: the Governor’s budget doubles the funding for Focus on Energy, the state’s renowned energy efficiency and clean energy program.  In addition to increasing the funding, the budget proposes targeting some of the Focus on Energy funding towards low-income residents. 

• Land Protection: the budget now recognizes the need to protect our natural landscapes and uses that as an opportunity to mitigate climate change. The budget includes several land and forestry protection programs, as well as the recommendation to address administrative hurdles in the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund approval process.
• Drinking-Water Protection: the budget works to address Wisconsin’s water pollution crisis by funding lead pipe removal, programs to target run-off pollution and well compensation.  The budget proposes increasing fees on factory farms, requiring that the polluters help fund pollution mitigation. 
• Supporting Local Leadership: the budget includes funding for local action on climate change, including funding for staff, research and local initiatives.  
• Parks Access: The budget proposes allowing all fourth graders to have free admission to State Parks, mirroring the Federal Every Kid Outdoors program.  This will help ensure cost isn’t a barrier for kids to visit Wisconsin state parks.
• Biking and Walking Infrastructure: the budget includes funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for biking and walking infrastructure, supports complete streets and restores condemnation authority for non-motorized trails. 

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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. In Wisconsin, the Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter’s 18,000 members work to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action.