AARP Wisconsin's 2023 State Budget Priorities

UPDATE MAY 2ND, 2023: The Joint Finance Committee voted to remove many of these provisions from the state budget, but AARP is still fighting to advance these issues in other ways.

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The biennial state budget is an opportunity for the legislature to fund key programs and initiatives that would improve the lives of not just AARP members, but Wisconsinites of all ages. That's why we're keeping a close eye on the budget process and advocating on some key issues. Click on the links below to learn more about our priorities:

• Support for family caregivers
• High-speed internet
• Medicaid Expansion
• Retirement Security

Support for Family Caregivers

Background
Family caregivers provide essential care for loved ones, allowing older Wisconsinites to stay home rather than relying on state-funded programs. However, many family caregivers are unpaid and face significant financial strain as a result of the time and money they spend caring for loved ones.

In the State Budget
The Governor's proposed budget addresses the needs of family caregivers with two provisions - a Caregiver Tax Credit, and the expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act. AARP supports both of these provisions.

• Caregiver Tax Credit
  Creates a $500 nonrefundable tax credit for unpaid family caregivers to help them cover caregiving costs. Qualified expenses include costs related to making home modifications, buying equipment, hiring a home care aide, adult day care, specialized transportation, legal or financial services or assistive care technology.
  
• Expansion of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  This would allow Wisconsinites to take up to 12 weeks of leave to help care for a grandparent, grandchild or sibling. In addition, the creation of a state FMLA benefit insurance program would provide benefits to individuals on FMLA leave, which would be provided through a state trust fund created by the bill.

Talking Points
If you'd like to contact your legislators to communicate the importance of the Caregiver Tax Credit or expansion of FMLA, you can use these talking points:

• The Caregiver Tax Credit and expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act would help Wisconsin family caregivers, who provide essential services in caring for their loved ones.
• There are not enough providers to hire for assistance, and family caregivers have a huge responsibility to assist loved ones with managing medication, nursing tasks, and day to day activities. They need supports like the Caregiver Tax Credit and expanded FMLA benefits.
• 1 in 4 workers age 35+ are family caregivers, which means they're facing financial and emotional strain on top of trying to maintain a work/life balance - they need assistance in the form of the Caregiver Tax Credit and expanded FMLA.

Jump to other issues
High-speed internet | Medicaid Expansion | Retirement Security

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High-Speed Internet

Background
Without access to high-speed internet, communities suffer, losing out on opportunities for people to learn, find jobs, and stay healthy—and for local businesses to prosper. For too many Wisconsinites, the high-speed internet they need is not available where they live.

In the State Budget
The Governor's addresses key barriers to high-speed internet adoption in two ways - providing grants and creating a broadband line extension program. AARP supports both of these provisions.

• $750 million for broadband expansion grants
• $5.2 million to create a broadband line extension program to help install last-mile broadband to residences

Talking Points
If you'd like to contact your legislators to communicate the importance of high-speed internet, here are some talking points:

• Reliable, affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity for accessing healthcare, employment, and educational opportunities. Please support the provisions in the budget to improve high-speed internet infrastructure throughout Wisconsin.
• 15% of the 50-plus population do not have access to high-speed internet, even though it is has become a foundation of modern society. Expansion of high-speed internet services and infrastructure would improve the lives of countless Wisconsinites.

Jump to other issues
Support for family caregivers | Medicaid Expansion | Retirement Security

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Medicaid Expansion

Wisconsin is one of only 10 states that have not accepted Medicaid expansion. In Wisconsin, this program is called BadgerCare.

BadgerCare is a health care coverage program for which residents of all ages may be eligible. It covers checkups, immunizations, emergency department visits, prescription drugs, lab visits, and other services.

An additional 90,000 people could be covered under BadgerCare if Wisconsin accepts full Medicaid expansion. That means access to basic healthcare services for more Wisconsinites who need them.

Some of the funds from Medicaid expansion could also be used to support Wisconsin's long term care workforce as well, providing an additional benefit to accepting the funds.

In the Budget
The Governor's budget calls for accepting federal funds to expand BadgerCare income eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty level (about $20,000 for an individual). AARP supports accepting the full expansion of Mediaid to 138% poverty.
AARP also supports improved reimbursement rates for long term care, particularly home and community-based care.

Talking Points
If you'd like to contact your legislators to urge them to accept Medicaid expansion, here are some talking points:

• To date, 40 other states have accepted Medicaid expansion - Wisconsin is falling behind.
• Accepting Medicaid expansion would cover an additional 90,000 Wisconsinites and the funds could also be used to support our long term care work force. We need Medicaid expansion.
  

Jump to other issues
Support for family caregivers | High-speed internet | Retirement Security

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Retirement Security

Background
Without their own retirement savings, many Wisconsinites will have to rely solely on Social Security, and the average annual benefit of $20,000 is just not enough. In fact, half of all households are at risk of not being able to handle everyday expenses like medicine, utilities, and rent in retirement.

People are 15x more likely to save for retirement if they can do so at work, but 41% of Wisconsin's private sector workers don't have access to a retirement savings plan through their employer.

In the Budget
The governor’s budget calls for creation of a Small Business Retirement Savings Board that would be charged with establishing a retirement savings program for workers who are employed by a private business with less than 50 employees and who do not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Eligible employees could contribute to their accounts through payroll deductions.

AARP supports enacting a state-facilitated retirement savings option to help Wisconsinites save for the future.

Talking Points
If you'd like to contact your legislators to encourage them to support this savings plan, here are some talking points:

• People are 15x more likely to save for retirement if they can do so at work, but 41% of Wisconsin's private sector workers don't have access to a retirement savings plan through their employer. Enacting a state-facilitated retirement savings option would help Wisconsinites save for their future.
• Without their own retirement savings, many Wisconsinites will have to rely solely on Social Security, and the average annual benefit of $20,000 is just not enough. Enacting a state-facilitated retirement savings option would help Wisconsinites save for their future.
  

Jump to other issues
Support for family caregivers | High-speed internet | Medicaid Expansion