Reporting live from the State Capitol in Madison, CWAG’s Governmental Affairs Director, John Hendrick and CWAG’s President Nino Amato have reported that the legislative Joint Finance Committee adopted a motion amending Governor Walker’s 2011-13 state budget, to preserve SeniorCare with no changes.
Had the Governor’s budget not been amended, over 79,000 seniors would have been forced to apply for the unpopular and expensive Medicare Part D prescription drug program.
U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and CWAG have worked tirelessly since December 2010 advocating for no changes to the popular and low cost SeniorCare program.
With the bi-partisan help of Representative Andy Jorgensen (D) and State Senator Alberta Darling (R), along with thousands of seniors and other aging advocates statewide, the powerful legislative Joint Finance Committee members agreed today for no changes to the current SeniorCare program.
This decision is very likely to be supported by the full legislature when the Governor’s state budget is voted upon in the state Assembly and Senate by mid June. Following the legislative vote, the state budget goes back to Governor Walker’s desk for final approval and his signature.
However, Governor Walker can still use his line item veto power to change provisions in the state budget. Therefore it’s essential we continue gathering signatures on our statewide petition drive to save SeniorCare.
Equally important, please continue to call your state legislators and the Governor’s office to let your voice be heard: “Save SeniorCare by not changing the program.”
Find my Legislators – http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
Contact the Governor – http://walker.wi.gov/section.asp?linkid=1714&locid=177
