Up Next: The Joint Finance Committee
On February 16th, 2020 Governor Tony Evers released his budget proposal, which includes provisions for the restoration of collective bargaining rights, an end to “right-to-work”, and the restoration of 2/3 funding for our schools. The next step in the Budget process is the debate and work in the legislature. To do this work, the legislature convenes the powerful Joint Finance Committee (JFC), which features members of both parties from both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature. The JFC’s primary responsibility is to serve as the principal legislative committee charged with the review of all state appropriations and revenues.
The Joint Committee on Finance is a statutory standing committee of the Wisconsin Legislature, split equally with 8 Senate members and 8 Assembly members. The majority party in each house appoints six members, while the minority party in each house appoints two members.
Ordinarily, there is an opportunity for citizens to be heard in a series of public hearings in front of the committee. With the pandemic, this tradition is in jeopardy. It is important that it be made clear to the members of the JFC that public testimony should be heard and extended to virtual testimony so that more citizens can engage the process and do so safely.
Below there is a list of the members of Joint Finance and their contact information.
Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam)
Representative Born (Co-Chair)
Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) Co-Chair
Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) Vice-Chair
Sen.Stroebel@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield)
Sen.Kooyenga@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma)
Sen.Felzkowski@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)
Sen.Bernier@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
Sen.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point)
Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov
Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee)
Sen.Johnson@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)
Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg)
Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Shannon Zimmermann (R-River Falls)
Rep.Zimmerman@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Creek)
Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc)
Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine)
