WCA Applauds Governor Walker for Investment in Counties

WCA Applauds Governor Walker for Investment in Counties

Announced at 2017 WCA Legislative Exchange in Madison

Governor Scott Walker addressed over 200 county officials today at the 2017 Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange in Madison, highlighting significant investments in Wisconsin’s counties in the areas of human services, county conservation efforts, and county operations.  

“Governor Walker’s announcements today highlight significant investment in critical county services,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell.  “Over the past eight months, WCA staff has met with the Governor’s office, the state budget office, and agency secretaries on county priorities for the 2017-19 State Biennial Budget.  We appreciate that many of our priorities were heard and were addressed by the Governor.”  

He continued, “We look forward to working with Governor Walker and the legislature as the state budget makes its way through the process to ensure these and other county priorities are approved by the legislature and enacted into law.”

At the event, Governor Walker gave a preview of tomorrow night’s 2017-2019 Biennial Budget Address.  Topics impacting counties include:

•    Eliminating waiting lists for long-term care for children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, with an additional $14 million in FY 18 and a $25 million increase in FY19.

•    Increasing Children and Family Aids allocations by $1.25 million in FY18 and $5 million in FY19.

•    Increasing Foster Care and Kinship Care rates.

•    Increasing nursing home and personal care rates.

•    Increasing the Treatment, Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) Program by $2 million annually.  In addition, an additional $150,000 was announced for drug courts.

•    Increasing cost sharing for non-point abatement projects and other land and water conservation activities performed by counties by $825,000 each year.

•    Creating a Joint Agency Agreement, which will eliminate statutory impediments to regional or cooperative county service delivery.