MONROE - Education and human services were top concerns Green County residents discussed with lawmakers during a legislative listening session in Monroe Wednesday night.
The sessions were hosted by state lawmakers, Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, and Sen. John Erpenbach, D-Middleton.
With possible Medicaid and other cuts looming in Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget, Gregory Holcomb, director of Green County Human Services, said he worries Green County residents will lose eligibility, or otherwise be dropped from the program.
In response, Erpenbach said it's wrong for the state to target human services at a time when they are needed by struggling families and seniors.
"Nobody really chooses what lot they are in life," Erpenbach said, speaking to the group of about 30 gathered at the Monroe Public Library. "(Walker) wants to decide who gets SeniorCare and he wants to decide who gets BadgerCare."
Some at the event also said they worried cuts to education and other programs would impact children and students planning to attend college or those already attending. Some even shared stories of children who are attending college, but need to drop out because they cannot afford to stay, or high school students debating going to college out of state, or even seeking jobs out of state.
Other topics discussed included rising gas prices, veteran's assistance, the new union law impacting public employees, and taxes.
"Our problem is how we are taxing," Erpenbach said.
He said that some in the state are paying less than they used to and "people like us" are paying more.
Ringhand said she would like to see jobs created and maintained to allow for more money in the pockets of Wisconsin residents; and to increase state revenue and spending.
"My perfect answer is getting people to work," Ringhand said.
Both lawmakers agreed that Walker's budget bill will pass in some form or another, though Erpenbach said he still hopes the collective bargaining law will be revisited.
Erpenbach also urged the group to continue standing up for what is right.
"Continue putting a face on it," Erpenbach said. "Continue doing what you are doing."
The sessions were hosted by state lawmakers, Rep. Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, and Sen. John Erpenbach, D-Middleton.
With possible Medicaid and other cuts looming in Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget, Gregory Holcomb, director of Green County Human Services, said he worries Green County residents will lose eligibility, or otherwise be dropped from the program.
In response, Erpenbach said it's wrong for the state to target human services at a time when they are needed by struggling families and seniors.
"Nobody really chooses what lot they are in life," Erpenbach said, speaking to the group of about 30 gathered at the Monroe Public Library. "(Walker) wants to decide who gets SeniorCare and he wants to decide who gets BadgerCare."
Some at the event also said they worried cuts to education and other programs would impact children and students planning to attend college or those already attending. Some even shared stories of children who are attending college, but need to drop out because they cannot afford to stay, or high school students debating going to college out of state, or even seeking jobs out of state.
Other topics discussed included rising gas prices, veteran's assistance, the new union law impacting public employees, and taxes.
"Our problem is how we are taxing," Erpenbach said.
He said that some in the state are paying less than they used to and "people like us" are paying more.
Ringhand said she would like to see jobs created and maintained to allow for more money in the pockets of Wisconsin residents; and to increase state revenue and spending.
"My perfect answer is getting people to work," Ringhand said.
Both lawmakers agreed that Walker's budget bill will pass in some form or another, though Erpenbach said he still hopes the collective bargaining law will be revisited.
Erpenbach also urged the group to continue standing up for what is right.
"Continue putting a face on it," Erpenbach said. "Continue doing what you are doing."