March Legislative Update

WPRA’s First Capitol Day
On Wednesday March 15, WPRA members from across the state convened for the association’s first ever Capitol Day. Participants were able to meet with their local legislators to discuss key issues for Park & Recreation professionals across the state. The topics of focus included:
  • Local Funding Reform
  • Support for the Transportation Alternatives Program and Maximize Trail Funding
  • Strengthen the Park & Recreation Workforce
  • Support Tourism Capital Investment Grant Program
  • Fully Fund Child Nutrition Programs
  • Continued Support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
To read more about these topics, check out WPRA’s 2023-24 Legislative Priorities.

Legislative Joint Finance Committee Hits the Road
The legislature’s budget-writing committee, the Joint Finance Committee, continues to work on rewriting the Governor’s 2023-25 state budget. Last week, the JFC co-chairs, Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), announced the committee will travel for four public hearings. WPRA members are encouraged to attend these meetings and discuss the budget items listed above on our priorities.
  • Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Waukesha County Expo Center, Main Arena
    1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha
  • Tuesday, April 11, 2023 UW-Eau Claire, Davies Student Center
    Ojibwe Grand Ballroom (Third Floor) 77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire
  • Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Conference Center Sandstone Meeting Room, 45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells
  • Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Lakeland Union High School, 9573 State Highway 70, Minocqua 

The public hearings will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Attendees will be asked to fill out a form upon arrival to be added to the queue to testify. Attendees are usually allowed a couple of minutes to testify in order to provide everyone with a chance to testify. Please note that hundreds of people attend our public hearings and the queue is often quite long by mid-morning. If you can’t attend, the JFC members have set up a web portal to receive feedback here.