JANESVILLE — State Reps. Ann Roe and Clinton Anderson, of Rock County, and other state Democrats introduced legislation this week they say aims to support families, reimburse school districts for special education costs and strengthen agriculture.
Roe co-authored the “Keep Our Promise on Special Education Act,” which would require the state to honor the special education reimbursement rates adopted in the 2025-27 biennial budget. A Wisconsin Department of Public of Instruction report recently found current reimbursements fall short of the promised amounts, leaving districts without critical dollars, Roe’s office said in a release.
The act advances “a series of practical solutions to meet the challenges facing Wisconsinites,” the release said.
“This is about keeping our word to students, families, and public schools. When the state underfunds special education, districts cut programs, shift resources, or again turn to property taxpayers just to meet basic needs. That is simply not acceptable,” it continued.
Paid family leave
Roe also joined Democrats on Tuesday in introducing providing 14 weeks of paid family leave and medical leave to all Wisconsin workers. The proposal would allow workers to care for a new child, recover from illness or support a loved one without losing paychecks.
“This program will become self-sustaining after the initial investment–similar to the unemployment system. It’s a smart investment,” Roe said. “No one should have to choose between caring for a sick parent, a new baby, or recovering from an injury and keeping their paychecks.
Forensic nurses
Wisconsin also faces a shortage of forensic nurses, resulting in delays in evidence collection and barriers to trauma-informed care. Roe authored legislation to recruit, train and retain forensic nurses statewide.
“This bill strengthens our healthcare workforce, improves access to justice, and ensures victims receive timely, expert care,” a release said.
Agriculture
Democratic state lawmakers also this week introduced a comprehensive agriculture bill package to support farmers, strengthen local agriculture markets, bolster Wisconsin’s agriculture industry and invest in rural communities.
“The package focuses on protecting farmland, promoting profitability, and ensuring long-term sustainability for producers,” the release said.
Anderson said in a statement on Thursday that the agriculture bill would increase funding for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection’s Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants, designed to increase agricultural sales. It is also aimed at promoting the “Something Special from Wisconsin” slogan, mark and logo, using $200,000 annually to do so.
“This bill expands Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants that make it easier for farmers to sell to local markets and feed Wisconsinites first, rather than have to navigate the unpredictable markets under Trump Administration’s tariffs,” Anderson said in a release.
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