ACA + ARP = BFD for Wisconsin Workers and Families

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

American Rescue Plan makes historic investment in healthcare across the Badger State, building on the Affordable Care Act  

MADISON, Wis.— As we mark the 11th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Opportunity Wisconsin today released the following statement highlighting how the recently-passed American Rescue Plan builds on the ACA’s success and makes historic healthcare investments to reduce health care costs for Wisconsin workers and families. 

Dr. Rachel Hughes, Wisconsin emergency physician and Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member:

“Yesterday we saw over 2 million more Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and today we celebrate the law that has likely saved many of their lives. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, these Wisconsinites cannot be denied coverage or be charged more for their condition, which for many now includes COVID-19.  

“For years I watched Senator Ron Johnson try to repeal the ACA and strip away these protections. Not only were his efforts unsuccessful, but the American Rescue Plan now builds upon the success of the ACA by improving affordability and expanding access to coverage. During this time when so many Wisconsinites have fallen ill or have lost their jobs, it’s a shame Senator Johnson fought tooth-and-nail against these critical investments.”  

In 2017, Senator Johnson helped lead an effort in the Senate to strip healthcare coverage away from Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions which could now include people who survived the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, Senator Johnon voted against the American Rescue Plan which reduces healthcare costs. For example, a 60-year-old couple with a household income of $75,000 could save $1,389 in monthly premiums.

More “Shots In Arms” As The American Rescue Plan Gets To Work For Wisconsin

Monday, March 22, 2021

Starting today, expanded vaccine eligibility means more Wisconsinites have access to this lifesaving immunization  

MADISON, Wis.— Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement as millions of Wisconsinites are today eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, one week earlier than anticipated. On Friday, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services also announced four additional organizations will be administering vaccines through the federal retail pharmacy program. The American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Biden, includes $20 billion for vaccine distribution, including $7.5 billion to set up vaccination sites across the country.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“Today is a day of celebration for so many across the Badger State, thanks to modern medicine, our frontline healthcare workers, and state and federal elected officials who have made significant investments in the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Over the past year, Wisconsin has seen an unbelievable amount of loss, but today there is hope. We’ve also seen Senator Ron Johnson constantly amplifying dangerous and debunked pandemic conspiracy theories, in addition to voting against the critical vaccine investments included in the American Rescue Plan. Unfortunately he’s not alone. Wisconsin Congressmen Bryan Steil, Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman, Tom Tiffany, and Mike Gallagher also voted against the urgent relief provided by this law. Wisconsin workers and families deserve elected representatives who will prioritize people over political conjecture.”

In a recent profile, the New York Times detailed Senator Johnson’s long history of promoting conspiracy theories stating, “In recent months, Mr. Johnson has sown doubts about President Biden’s victory, argued that the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was not an armed insurrection, promoted discredited Covid-19 treatments, said he saw no need to get the coronavirus vaccine himself and claimed that the United States could have ended the pandemic a year ago with the development of a generic drug if the government had wanted that to happen.” 

Last week, Opportunity Wisconsin sat down with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Wisconsin parents to discuss the historic impact the American Rescue Plan will have on children and families across the state.

NEW REPORT: How the American Rescue Plan Helps Wisconsin Families

Friday, March 19, 2021

MADISON, Wis.— Today, Opportunity Wisconsin released a report summarizing the provisions of the American Rescue Plan that help Wisconsin families the most, including a program that will massively reduce child poverty. 

“Wisconsin families have been hit hard by the pandemic and the American Rescue Plan addresses those hardships while making historic investments in the fight against child poverty,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. “The American Rescue Plan puts money in the hands of struggling families, shores up child care facilities, and gives much needed resources to our schools.”

On Wednesday, Opportunity Wisconsin sat down with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Wisconsin parents to discuss the historic impact this law will have on children and families across the state.

When asked how additional financial support from the American Rescue Plan would impact her, Barbara Cerda, a Milwaukee area mother, responded, “I got my stimulus check this morning, and my first trip was to the gas station to fill up my tank. I had been putting in little bits at a time, and this morning I was able to fill up my tank...Long term, I can pay my rent for six months, I can use that money to fix my car that has been in my garage for the past four months. It means I can buy my children new clothes, we’ve been using our summer clothes.”  [WATCH]

The full report can be viewed here and is posted below:

Report: How the American Rescue Plan Helps Wisconsin Families

Child Tax Credit

For 24 years, the Child Tax Credit has provided assistance to low-income families and lifted millions out of poverty. The American Rescue Plan expands the Child Tax Credit to all children except those with parents earning the highest incomes. It also increases the benefit from $2,000 annually to up to $3,600 per child, delivered through monthly cash payments of approximately $300/month instead of annual payments.

Impact on Wisconsin

• 1,159,000 Wisconsin children under 18 – 92% of all Wisconsin children – will benefit from the expansion of the Child Tax Credit.

• The bill will lift 56 percent (94,000) of the Wisconsin children under 18 who are living in poverty closer to or above the poverty line and 27 percent (46,000) of Wisconsin children under 18 will be lifted out of poverty.

Child Care

The pandemic has exacerbated the desperate need for increased child care in America. That is why the American Rescue Plan includes funding for child care through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Head Start, so that no parent has to choose between work and making sure their child is taken care of.

Impact on Wisconsin

• Wisconsin will receive $224 million in supplemental funding for the CCDBG and $358 million in Child Care Stabilization Grants. This money will go to helping low income families pay for child care and giving child care facilities the funding they need to remain open and safe.

• Wisconsin will receive over $15.4 million in funding for Head Start programs. Head Start currently serves 15,441 Wisconsin children through 276 program locations. 

Schools

We all want our children to return to the classroom and ensure their safety. That is why the American Rescue Plan includes over $125 billion in grants to our Wisconsin public schools to help them implement public health protocols, address learning loss, and help address long term mental and emotional challenges students might face after a year of online learning. Congress’  pandemic Electronic Benefit Program (p-EBT) program has also been expanded, so that no child goes hungry during the pandemic.

Impact on Wisconsin

• Wisconsin will receive $1,540,785,000 for schools, including $77,039,000 to address learning loss and $15,408,000 for after school programs. 

• For the 2020-2021 school year Wisconsin planned to provide $328.2 million in p-EBT benefits to 438,000 children in school at about $35.9 million/month ($82 per child per month). Using these data, extending p-EBT for 438,000 children through three months of summer totals $107.7 million to ensure that Wisconsin children do not go hungry. 

Rental and Housing Assistance

The pandemic has taken an incredible toll on renters and homeowners alike – 1 in 5 renters are behind on rent payments and 1 in 10 homeowners are behind on mortgage payments. The American Rescue Plan provides emergency rental and housing assistance to ensure that families can keep a roof over their heads as they navigate the pandemic. This assistance is particularly important for families, as households with children face higher levels of hardship.

Impact on Wisconsin

• 10 percent of Wisconsinites – 126,000 people – are behind on rent payments and 29 percent – almost 2 million people – are having trouble covering household expenses. The ARP will make it easier for families to cover those expenses, providing $306,000,000 in emergency rental assistance to Wisconsin families.

$1,400 Rescue Checks

The American Rescue Plan includes a third round of relief checks for the American people. Every American earning under $75,000 per year will receive a check, including dependents. That means families will receive $1,400 for each child. A family of four could receive up to $5,600. 

Impact on Wisconsin

• 2,722,268 households in Wisconsin will receive a check, for a total of $6,981,675,000 in rescue checks. 

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“It Gives Me A Lot Of Hope”: Wisconsin Parents Discuss American Rescue Plan With Senator Baldwin

Thursday, March 18, 2021

During Facebook LIVE with Opportunity Wisconsin and Citizen Action, Senator Baldwin highlights how the American Rescue Plan will lift more than 46,000 Wisconsin children out of poverty

[VIEW/DOWNLOAD VIDEO]

MADISON, Wis.— As Wisconsinites start to see the impact of the American Rescue Plan, Opportunity Wisconsin and Citizen Action Wisconsin Northwestern Organizing Cooperative sat down with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Badger State parents on Facebook LIVE to discuss the historic impact this law will have on children and families across the state. 

[READ MORE: How the American Rescue Plan Helps Wisconsin Families]  

“We’ve just passed a measure that could take half of all children currently in poverty out of poverty,” said Senator Baldwin. “Why shouldn’t we have this goal every day, pandemic or not? Why should we not have this commitment that every child has every opportunity?” [WATCH]

When asked how additional financial support from the American Rescue Plan would impact her, Barbara Cerda, a Milwaukee area mother, responded, “I got my stimulus check this morning, and my first trip was to the gas station to fill up my tank. I had been putting in little bits at a time, and this morning I was able to fill up my tank...Long term, I can pay my rent for six months, I can use that money to fix my car that has been in my garage for the past four months. It means I can buy my children new clothes, we’ve been using our summer clothes.”  [WATCH]

The American Rescue Plan cuts child poverty in the United States in half through an expansion of the child tax credit, which will lift over 46,000 Wisconsin children out of poverty. The new child tax credits will deliver up to $1,600 annually per child to the families of over 1.1 million Badger State children.

A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. 

Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member and UW-Eau Claire professor, Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, moderated the conversation. Members of the media wishing to speak with event participants, should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org to arrange interviews.

Opportunity Wisconsin Launches NEW Ad In Six-Figure Campaign

Monday, March 15, 2021

New digital ad [“NEWS”] from Opportunity Wisconsin holds Johnson accountable for opposing COVID relief

MADISON, Wis.— As Wisconsinites start to see $1,400 COVID relief checks in their bank accounts, Opportunity Wisconsin has launched a new digital ad [WATCH: “NEWS”] that holds Senator Ron Johnson accountable for opposing the American Rescue Plan. The new ad is part of a six-figure digital ad campaign and follows the announcement of Opportunity Wisconsin’s launch of last week’s ad, “NO.” Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin kicked off a three-week, $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“Over the past few days, Wisconsin residents have started to see immediate relief from the American Rescue Plan - no thanks to Senator Johnson. As the Badger State starts to dig out of the devastation we’ve experienced, we can’t forget who fought for us and who failed us. Senator Johnson stood in the way of Wisconsin’s recovery and we must all hold him accountable for it.”   

“NEWS” Full Script:

Have you seen the news?

Senator Ron Johnson voted against the $1,400 COVID relief checks. 

He voted against the support Wisconsin families need to get through this pandemic.

Tell Ron Johnson to stop blocking our recovery. 

A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. See highlights from the American Rescue Plan in our breakdown here: American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

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WATCH: NEW Digital Ad Holds Senator Johnson Accountable for Opposing COVID Relief

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Despite Johnson’s Partisan Political Ploys, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Badly-Needed COVID Relief As President Biden Signs Bill Into Law 

MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new digital ad [WATCH: “NO”] that holds  Senator Ron Johnson accountable for opposing the American Rescue Plan, which is now the law of the land and will soon deliver over $20 billion in lifesaving assistance to Wisconsin workers, families, small businesses, and cities across the state. The six-figure digital ad will reach Wisconsinites across most of the state over the coming days and follows a three-week, $1M ad campaign that launched last month and urged Johnson to support the legislation. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“We’re incredibly grateful to our elected officials who delivered on their promise to help Wisconsin workers and families recover from a pandemic that has devastated communities across the Badger State. Whether it’s $1,400 relief checks, funding for vaccines, support for small businesses, or lifting children out of poverty, the American Rescue Plan is a game-changer for so many in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Senator Johnson did everything he could to prevent this from happening, and we all must hold him accountable for standing in the way of Wisconsin’s recovery.”

“NO” Full Script:

COVID relief is on the way.

But Senator Ron Johnson voted NO.

$1,400 relief checks? NO.

Funding for vaccines? NO.

Support for small businesses? NO.

Tell Ron Johnson to stop blocking our recovery.

A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. See highlights from the American Rescue Plan in our breakdown here: American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

On Saturday, the American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Senate, despite Senator Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain, while Badger State residents continued to struggle. 

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Game-Changing Relief For Wisconsin Nearing The Finish Line

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Despite Senator Ron Johnson’s Obstruction, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Badly-Needed COVID Relief 

MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved the American Rescue Plan, a bill that will provide over $20 billion in relief to Wisconsinites across the state. A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“Today, Wisconsin workers and families are one step closer to receiving the economic relief they desperately need to help them recover from pandemic. We’re grateful to our elected officials, like Representatives Gwen Moore, Mark Pocan, and Ron Kind, who today put Wisconsin families over partisan DC politics. The American Rescue Plan will benefit Wisconsinites who need it most, which stands in stark contrast to those who benefitted from the 2017 tax giveaway to the wealthy—a $1.9 trillion bill Senator Johnson eagerly supported.”

See highlights from the American Rescue Plan in our breakdown here: 

American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

On Saturday, the American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Senate, despite Senator Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain, while Badger State residents continued to struggle. Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.

American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Despite Senator Ron Johnson’s Obstruction, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Relief That Will Be A “Game-Changer”

MADISON, Wis.— Ahead of an expected vote in the House of Representatives, today Opportunity Wisconsin released highlights of how the Badger State stands to benefit once the American Rescue Plan is signed into law. A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions.

“To say the American Rescue Plan is a ‘game-changer’ would be an understatement. Whether it’s $1,400 direct payments, expanded vaccine access, or aid to small businesses, the American Rescue Plan provides badly-needed relief to Wisconsin workers and families who have been hit hard during the pandemic,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. “It’s outrageous Senator Johnson voted against such a critical piece of legislation at a time when his constituents are struggling.” 

American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin  

A few highlights of what Wisconsinites can expect to see from the American Rescue Plan

• Total: The American Rescue plan would provide $20 billion in relief to Wisconsinites – money that would go to families, small businesses, and cities across the state.

• Direct Relief. A provision that would send $1,400 checks to American families who need it most would give $7.8 billion to Wisconsin families, helping 4 million adults and 1.5 million children in the state. 

• Child Tax Credit. Tax cuts in the American Rescue Plan provide 98 percent of Wisconsin’s families with children an average tax break of $2,510.

• Earned Income Tax Credit. 349,000 Wisconsinites claimed the EITC in 2020. However, workers without children were only able to claim a maximum of $529 dollars. The American Rescue Plan raises this maximum amount to $1,500. Approximately 214,000 childless workers in Wisconsin would gain $214 million from the expanded EITC benefit.

• Food Assistance. The American Rescue Plan would extend the 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits passed in December through at least September. Families would receive an additional $27 per person per month, and in Wisconsin, 30 percent of that increase would go to the neediest households – those with income below 50 percent of the federal poverty level. As of mid-December 2020, there were 723,000 people receiving SNAP benefits. That would bring an additional $20 million into the state and help ease the food insecurity in Wisconsin. 

The American Rescue Plan would benefit those who need it the most. This stands in stark contrast to those who benefitted from the 2017 millionaires tax cut, a $1.9 trillion bill Senator Johnson eagerly supported.  

(Image Source: Steve Rattner) 

On Saturday, the American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Senate, despite Senator Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain, while Badger State residents continued to struggle. Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.  

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