CAPITOL UPDATE

JFC Removes Postpartum Expansion from Budget; WCC Urges Support of Expansion in Separate Legislation

The WCC expresses its deep disappointment that the Joint Finance Committee removed the postpartum care extension from the state’s 2023-25 budget. The removed measure would have extended critical medical assistance to mothers under the state’s BadgerCare (Medicaid) program from the current 60 days to a full year after giving birth. 

Postpartum women can suffer from serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, depression, and substance use disorders. Life-threatening complications frequently arise months after giving birth, far beyond the current 60 days of coverage. In fact, 75 percent of pregnancy-associated maternal deaths in Wisconsin occur postpartum. Postpartum coverage is especially critical for women of color, who still face disproportionate maternal mortality rates in our state. 

While the postpartum extension has been taken out of the budget, we urge concerned citizens to contact their elected officials and ask that they pass identical legislation in the form of companion bills SB-110 (Ballweg, Joan) / AB-114 (Rozar, Donna). These bills have garnered broad bipartisan support with 70 legislators signed on and over 40 advocacy groups registered in support. No one has registered in opposition. Read the full press release here.

WCC Opposes Allowing Pharmacists to Prescribe Contraceptives

On June 6, the WCC testified in opposition to AB-176 (Kitchens, Joel), permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives. The WCC also registered in opposition to companion bill SB-211 (Felzkowski, Mary). AB-176 passed out of Committee and will receive a floor vote by the full Assembly on Wednesday.

WCC Supports Revision to Earned Income Tax Credit

On June 8, the WCC registered in support of SB-243 (Jacque, Andre) / AB-248 (Tittl, Paul), allowing certain married persons to claim the earned income tax credit when filing a separate return because of domestic abuse. AB-248 unanimously passed out of committee and awaits a floor vote.

Govenor Evers Signs Increased Funding for Education  

On June 20, the Governor signed SB-330 (Stroebel, Duey) into law as 2023 Wisconsin Act 11, which increases the per pupil payments for parental choice programs, the per pupil payments for independent charter schools, and increases the revenue ceiling for public school districts. The WCC registered in support.

WCC Opposes Provisions in Literacy Bill 

On June 20, the WCC registered in opposition to SB-329 (Stoebel, Duey) / AB-321 (Kitchens, Joel), which addresses reading instruction in public schools and private schools participating in parental choice programs, and requires an early literacy assessment and intervention program. The WCC applauds efforts to address the literacy problem in our state but has concerns about mandating and prohibiting certain curricula and resources, the third grade retention policy, and the unintended consequences for students and schools. AB-321 passed out of Committee and will receive a floor vote on Wednesday.

WCC Public Policy Positions: Encourage and Strengthen Marriage

Here we elaborate on each of the WCC's 2023 Public Policy Positions. The complete document can be found below. You can learn more about Catholic Social Teaching on the USCCB website.

Encourage and strengthen marriage. Lifelong marriage between one man and one woman is essential to the continuation of humanity, to the total development of the human person, and to the dignity, stability, peace, and prosperity of the family and society. Wisconsin must promote marriage and evaluate all public policies for their impact on marriage and families.

In the Catholic tradition, marriage unites the two parts of humanity, male and female, both made in the image and likeness of God (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #1602). In this unique bond of reciprocal love, a husband and wife become one flesh and co-workers with their Creator.

This complementary union models how spouses can live interdependently and cooperatively, not just for their own good, but also for the good of any children they may have. Stable marriages and families are essential to a free and stable society.

It is true that many children are deeply loved and nurtured in households that are different from traditional married ones. But, in the Church’s long experience, families headed by a loving mother and father provide children with a uniquely stable environment in which to grow spiritually, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

This position does not imply or justify animosity towards any individual or group. All people are deserving of respect, compassion, and sensitivity (CCC #2358).

Through the WCC, Wisconsin’s bishops have or will support laws to strengthen marriage; reform marriage license requirements; retain statutory references to husbands and wives, mothers and fathers; create favorable tax policies for married couples and remove marriage penalties in state programs; and raise the age of consent for marriage to 18.

Updates from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

• Recap of U.S. Bishops’ Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando (June 16)
• U.S. Bishops Affirm Advancement of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Five Priests Known as the “Shreveport Martyrs” (June 16) 
• Religious Freedom Week to be Observed June 22–29 (June 13)
• USCCB and CCUSA Urge Increased Funding for Housing Programs (June 13)
• USCCB Supports Ending Ban on SNAP Benefits for Returning Citizens (June 9)
• Bishops Provide Priorities for Agriculture, SFOPS Appropriations (June 8)
• Bishop Chairmen Call on Lawmakers to Protect Children Online (June 6)
• Pro-Life Chairman on the Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health (June 6)

WCC 2023 Public Policy Positions

The WCC's 2023 Public Policy Positions are designed to inform state legislators, policy makers, and other interested parties about the Church's public policy positions and the principles that undergird them.

2023-24 Legislature and Citizen Resources

To find out who your legislators are, go to the Wisconsin State Legislature's home page and enter your address under Who Are My Legislators. Other legislative resources include:

• 2023-24 Session Schedule
• Senate Directory
• Assembly Directory
• Committees
• Monthly Schedule of Committee Activities
• How a Bill Becomes a Law

You can also follow state government by tuning in to WisconsinEye, the independent, nonpartisan news service that provides uncut video coverage of state government proceedings.