Cooperative Network, representing cooperative businesses throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota, is pleased Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers budget proposal includes numerous initiatives directly benefitting cooperatives and rural economies.
The following items in the governor’s 2023-2025 Biennial Budget Proposal are top priorities for
Cooperative Network:
Broadband – Evers’ budget includes $750 million to connect every household in Wisconsin to high-speed internet by 2025, a major initiative that would have a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin residents in rural areas of the state.
Workforce Development – Like all businesses in Wisconsin, cooperatives need a stable and growing
workforce. Truck drivers and other CDL holders are particularly crucial to cooperative businesses. The
guv’s budget funds scholarship and grant programs for student CDL education, and increases the amount of time Seasonal Farm Service CDL’s can be used from 180 to 210 days.
Cooperative Development – The Cooperative Feasibility Study grant program have gone to a wide variety of budding cooperatives – ranging from mobile meat processors to rural grocery stores. CN strongly supports continuing this grant program.
Repeal of Wisconsin’s Personal Property Tax – Repealing this antiquated and anti-business tax will return crucial dollars back to cooperatives, which will invest the funds in workforce support and development, cooperative growth, member patronage, and rural economies. None of Wisconsin’s neighboring states have a personal property tax.
Producer-led conservation programs – The governor’s proposed budget continues funding for programs focusing on pollution abatement activities such as the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program, the Nitrogen Optimization Grant Program, and increased funding for rebates for cover crops.
Continuation of the Wisconsin Commodity Food Bank Purchasing program – This program was funded
with federal funds during the pandemic to supply Wisconsin foodbanks with Wisconsin commodities. CN supports the continuation of Badger Box funding and other programs that connect Wisconsin agricultural producers and processers to the state’s network of food banks and pantries.
“Cooperative Network urges support for policies and programs that support Wisconsin farmers,
agribusinesses and rural communities such as those proposed in Governor Evers’ budget,” says Daniel
Smith, CN president and CEO. “We look forward to working with legislators and advocating for these proposals as the budget is deliberated in coming months.”