>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> SURROUNDED BY DEMOCRATS AND
REPUBLICANS, GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
SIGNS THE SHARED REVENUE BILL
INTO LAW.
MEANWHILE, REPUBLICANS UNVEIL
THEIR BIG PLANS FOR TAX CUTS.
AND DESPERATE FOR RAINFALL.
MORE HEAT AND DRY WEATHER PUTS
FARMERS ON EDGE.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG, TONIGHT
ON "HERE AND NOW," WE PREVIEW
THE 2023 FARM BILL WITH
CONGRESSMAN DERRICK VAN ORDEN,
AND ONE FARMER SHARES HIS
STRUGGLES WITH THE CURRENT
GROWING SEASON.
A CHILDCARE PROVIDER BRACES FOR
A FUNDING GAP, AND A LOOK AT
WHETHER SUMMER SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
HAS REBOUNDED.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR JUNE 23.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> THE QUESTION TONIGHT, COULD
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS VETO THE
ENTIRE STATE BUDGET OVER CUTS
MADE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN BUDGET.
>> THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE
LATE THIS WEEK VOTED TO CUT $32
MILLION FROM THE UW SYSTEM
OPERATING BUDGET ALONG WITH 188
POSITIONS TO TARGET DIVERSITY,
EQUITY AND INCLUSION EFFORTS.
GOVERNOR EVERS HAD THREATENED TO
VETO THE BUDGET IN THE EVENT OF
SUCH CUTS.
BUDGET WRITERS ALSO VOTED TO
APPROVE A $3.5 BILLION TAX CUT,
THE LARGEST REDUCTIONS FOR
PEOPLE IN HIGHER INCOME BRACKETS
LIKE MARRIED JOINT FILERS MAKING
MORE THAN $405,000 OF INCOME.
EVERS HAS SAID HE OPPOSES THE
TOP BRACKET TAX CUT.
REPUBLICANS HERALD THE CUTS AS
THEY WRAPPED UP BUDGET WORK
SENDING IT ON TO THE
LEGISLATURE.
>> WE BELIEVE THIS IS A HISTORIC
BUDGET.
WE INVEST HISTORIC AMOUNTS OF
MONEY IN OUR CORE PRIORITIES
WHILE ALSO PROVIDING FOR A
HISTORIC TAX CUT, LARGEST TAX
CUT IN HISTORY.
>> IT IS MISGUIDED PRIORITIES
ENTIRELY THAT WE'VE SEEN UP AND
DOWN THIS BUDGET AND THE FACT
THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOSE
THEIR JOBS AND
MULTI-MILLIONAIRES ARE GOING TO
MAKE AN ADDITIONAL $1.8 MILLION
BECAUSE OF THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE
SHAME.
>> IN WASHINGTON AND OF
IMPORTANCE TO WISCONSIN,
CONGRESS IS WORKING ON THE FARM
BILL, AND OMINOUS MULTI-YEAR
BILL THAT FOCUSES ON FARM
COMMODITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND
MOST ESPECIALLY ON NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE
LIKE THE S.N.A.P. OR
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
WISCONSIN THIRD DISTRICT
CONGRESSMAN DERRICK VAN ORDEN
SITS ON THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE
COMMITTEE AND HAS HELD LISTENING
SESSIONS ON THE 2023 FARM BILL.
WE TALKED WITH HIM EARLIER THIS
WEEK AND STARTED BY ASKING WHAT
FARMERS ARE TELLING HIM ARE
THEIR PRIORITIES.
>> ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND
ACROSS THE NATION, BECAUSE WE'VE
BEEN AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
AROUND THE COUNTRY, TEXAS,
CALIFORNIA, OREGON, FLORIDA, NEW
YORK STATE, UPSTATE NEW YORK,
AND WE'LL BE BRINGING COUNSEL TO
THE DISTRICT, THE CHAIRMAN OF
THAT COMMITTEE COMING UP HERE
NEXT MONTH.
WE HEAR THE SAME THING ACROSS
THE BOARD, THAT INPUT COSTS ARE
HAVING A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON
OUR FARMS.
PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING
ABLE TO TURN THEIR FARMS OVER TO
THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMER
AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IF
WE WANT FAMILY FARMS, THAT'S
WHAT THAT MEANS, PASSING A FARM
FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.
THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT
LABOR ALSO.
THOSE ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS.
>> SO WHEN YOU SAY INPUT COSTS,
YOU MEAN THE COST OF GROWING THE
THINGS THAT FARMERS ARE
PRODUCING.
>> DIESEL, FERTILIZER, SEED, AND
THEN IF YOU WANT EQUIPMENT COSTS
IN THERE ALSO BECAUSE SPARE
PARTS HAVE GONE UP A TREMENDOUS
AMOUNT ACROSS THE BOARD.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO
IS GET BACK TO BEING ENERGY
INDEPENDENT.
>> BY FAR THE LARGEST
EXPENDITURE IN THE FARM BILL IS
THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR LOW
INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
ABOUT 80%, I UNDERSTAND, OF A
POTENTIALLY TRILLION-DOLLAR 2023
FARM BILL.
WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO
SEE AROUND FOOD STAMPS OR FOOD
SHARE, AS WE CALL IT HERE IN
WISCONSIN?
>> WELL, IT'S ACTUALLY 81%, AND
I VOLUNTEERED TO BE ON THE
SUBCOMMITTEE FOR S.N.A.P.
BECAUSE I WAS RAISED IN ABJECT
RURAL POVERTY BY A SINGLE MOTHER
AND WE WERE ON WHAT WAS THEN
FOOD STAMPS.
IT'S NO LONGER -- YOU DON'T HAVE
A STAMP ANYMORE.
IT'S THE S.N.A.P. PROGRAM.
SO I USED THOSE PROGRAMS AS A
CHILD AND WE HAD SUBSIDIZED
SCHOOL LUNCHES, HAD GOVERNMENT
CHEESE.
WHEN I WAS BEING SHOT AT AS AN
ACTIVE DUTY NAVY S.E.A.L., MY
WIFE AND I USED WICK W.I.C. TO HELP
FEED MY CHILDREN.
I WANTED TO BE ON THE S.N.A.P.
COMMITTEE BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED TO
UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE VITAL
PROGRAMS AND THEY'RE DESIGNED TO
BE A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT,
BECAUSE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO GET
BACK ON THEIR FEET AGAIN AND
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN AMERICANS
NEED THIS ASSISTANCE.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE GOT
THROUGH THAT THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION SAID WAS A
NON-STARTER WAS THE WORK
REQUIREMENTS, AND WHO THOSE
APPLIED TO ARE ABLE-BODIED
ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS.
WANT 79.5% OF WISCONSINITES
VOTED FOR WORK REQUIREMENTS IN
APRIL.
80% OF THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT VOTED FOR THOSE WORK
REQUIREMENTS, AND I THINK IT'S
REALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND THE DIGNITY OF LABOR.
I REMEMBER GETTING MY FIRST
PAYCHECK FROM A GUY NAME RALEIGH
BEVANS.
HE HANDED IT TO MY, AND I WAS SO
PROUD BECAUSE I KNEW THAT I HAD
EARNED THAT MONEY AND THAT
STARTED A SYSTEM FOR ME OF
WORKING AND BEING MORE
INDEPENDENT.
SO WHEN PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO
SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR
FAMILIES, IT GIVES US A GREAT
FEELING OF PRIDE.
ONCE YOU CAN TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR
WORK, YOU TEND TO DO BETTER
THROUGHOUT SOCIETY, AND THAT'S
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, MAKE
SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE IN A PLACE
WHERE THEY CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE
MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATED AND THAT'S
WHY I WANTED TO BE ON THE
S.N.A.P. COMMITTEE, TO SEE HOW
WE CAN SHAPE THE POLICIES TO
MAKE THE MOST SENSE OF THAT.
>> ONE THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND
IS THAT ALREADY THE NEW DEBT
CEILING LAW IMPOSES NEW WORK
REQUIREMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE
WHO GET FOOD SHARE OR THE
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE.
WOULD BOTH THINGS BE HAPPENING
AT THE SAME TIME, THEN?
>> THEY'LL HAVE TO BE RECTIFIED.
THE LAW HAS TO BE CONGRUENT.
RAISING THE DEBT LIMIT, I'M 53
YEARS OLD.
I WORK PROBABLY 16 HOURS A DAY
WHEN I'M HERE IN WASHINGTON,
D.C.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 20 HOURS A
WEEK, 20 HOURS A WEEK EITHER
WORKING, LOOKING FOR WORK,
SEEKING JOB TRAINING OR BEING
KATY FOR A JOB.
THAT'S 20 HOURS A WEEK.
AND AS I SAID, 79.5% OF
WISCONSINITES AND 80% OF THE
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
VOTED FOR WORK REQUIREMENTS.
SO WE ARE NOT OUT OF LINE WITH
THE THINKING OF THE VAST
MAJORITY OF THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN.
I WON BY 3.8 POINTS.
I DIDN'T WIN BY 80%.
THAT MEANS A LOT OF DEMOCRATS IN
MY DISTRICT WANT THESE WORK
REQUIREMENTS, AND I WAS SENT
HERE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO
REPRESENTED THEM ALONG WITH THE
REPUBLICANS THAT VOTED FOR ME.
>> IS THE INFERENCE THERE THAT
PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE ACCEPTING
FOOD SHARE DOLLARS TO BUY FOOD
BECAUSE THEY ARE LOW INCOME ARE
JUST LAZY?
>> NO, AND I REALLY THINK THAT'S
WHOLLY INAPPROPRIATE THAT YOU
WOULD EVEN ASK ME THAT QUESTION.
THAT IS JUST SILLY.
I TOLD YOU I GREW UP ON FOOD
STAMPS, AND MY MOTHER WAS NOT
LAZY, BY ANY MEANS, SO THAT IS
DOG WHISTLE UNFORTUNATELY THAT
LIBERAL MEDIA TRIES TO ENTICE A
REPUBLICAN INTO SAYING SOMETHING
STUPID.
I VOLUNTEERED TO BE ON THE
S.N.A.P. PARAMETER ON PURPOSE
BECAUSE THESE PROGRAMS ARE
VALUABLE, AND MY MOTHER, CAROL
ANN MULLIGAN, WAS NOT LAZY.
SHE WAS FIRE TWO AND HARDER THAN
WOOD PECKER LIPS AND SHE WORKED
AS MUCH AS SHE COULD TO TAKE
SCARE OF ME AND MY BROTHER, SO I
DON'T APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.
>> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT I AM NOT
SAYING THAT YOU OR YOUR MOTHER
OR YOUR FAMILY WERE LAZY, BUT
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE TIM
MICHAELS SPOKE TO IN HIS
CAMPAIGN RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.
>> TEASE IT'S 2023, MA'AM, AND I'M A
MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS.
I DIDN'T RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
>> ACROSS THE AISLE, TAMMY
BALDWIN WOULD LIKE TO SEE
FUNDING FOR FARMER MENTAL HEALTH
ASSISTANCE.
HOW NEEDED IS THAT FROM YOUR
PERSPECTIVE?
>> THE NUMBER ONE FACILITY IN
EACH ONE OF MY 19 COUNTIES THAT
HOUSES PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH
CRISES ARE COUNTY JAILS, AND
THAT'S TERRIBLE.
IT'S NOT JUST OUR FARMERS.
IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.
THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT
HAVE SPIKED AFTER THESE
INCREDIBLY HORRIFIC INSTANCES OF
SHUTTING PEOPLE OUT OF
EVERYTHING DURING COVID, THEY'VE
JUST SKYROCKETED AND WE NEED TO
GET MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH.
HOW THAT LOOKS, YOU KNOW, I'M
NOT QUITE SURE, BUT I WENT OVER
TO MARK POCAN'S OFFICE TO SPEAK
ABOUT THIS.
WE DISAGREE PROBABLY 98% OF THE
TIME.
THAT MEANS WE AGREE 2% OF THE
TIME.
PEOPLE SENT ME TO WASHINGTON,
D.C. TO FIND THAT 2% OF THE TIME
THAT I AGREE WITH PEOPLE, AND I
HAVE ACTIVELY SUITING OUT MY
DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES TO SOLVE
SOME OF THESE VERY IMPORTANT
ISSUES EXPECTED TO.
>> CONGRESSMAN DERRICK VAN
ORDEN, THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL
INTERVIEW ON OUR WEBSITE AT PBS
WISCONSIN DOT-ORG/NEWS.
MANY FARMERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT
THEIR CROPS AS DRY CONDITIONS
CONTINUE THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE
STATE.
THIS PAST MAY WAS THE FOURTH
DRIEST ON RECORD AND JUNE ISN'T
PROVIDING THE MUCH-NEEDED
RAINFALL SO FAR.
THIS MAP SHOWS HOW MUCH RAIN THE
STATE HAS GOTTEN IN JUNE
COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS, WITH
LARGE SWATHS RECEIVING 25% OR
LESS THAN AVERAGE, AND THE U.S.
DROUGHT MONITOR SHOWS THE
MAJORITY OF THE STATE IN
MODERATE DROUGHT WITH THE
NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST CORNERS
NEWLY DESIGNATED AS SEVERE
DROUGHT.
MARISA WOJCIK SPOKE WITH A
FARMER AND A UW EXTENSION
EDUCATOR TO FIND OUT HOW PARCHED
CROPS ARE FARING.
>> I RUN ABOUT 450 ACRES.
WE FARM CORN, BEANS, AND HAY.
>> DAN TURNER IS A CASH CROP
FARMER IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF
MONTICELLO.
>> IT STARTED OUT GREAT AND
EVERYTHING GOT PLANTED WHEN IT
WAS SUPPOSED TO AND EVERYTHING
TOOK OFF GOOD, AND THE BRAKES
GOT PUT ON BECAUSE OF THE DRY
WEATHER.
IT'S GETTING REALLY, REALLY DRY
RIGHT NOW.
AND IF WE DON'T GET SOME RAIN
HERE PRETTY SOON, WE DON'T KNOW
HOW BAD IT'S GOING TO BE FOR
SURE BECAUSE NOW WE'RE GOING
INTO THE DRIEST PART OF THE
SUMMER ON A NORMAL YEAR, JULY
AND AUGUST, AND WE'RE ALREADY
DRY.
SO IT'S KIND OF -- IT'S GETTING
VERY CONCERNING.
THE NEXT 10 DAYS IS REALLY GOING
TO BE CRITICAL FOR THIS CORN AND
BEANS AND THE HAY, ESPECIALLY,
BECAUSE THE HAY TAKES A LOT OF
MOISTURE.
SO IT'S VERY CONCERNING RIGHT
NOW.
I'VE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS.
I'VE FARMED MY WHOLE LIFE.
IN 2012, WE HAD QUITE A DROUGHT,
BUT THAT WAS LATER IN THE YEAR,
BUT TO BE THIS DRY THIS EARLY IS
KIND OF UNHEARD OF.
>> WE HAD DECENT WINTER
MOISTURE, AND OUR SOILS WERE IN
REALLY GOOD SHAPE THIS SPRING,
SO THE CROPS ARE STILL TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THAT GOOD
EARLY SPRING MOISTURE, BUT WE
JUST HAVEN'T HAD THE MOISTURE
REPLENISHED IN THE SOIL JUST YET
THIS YEAR.
>> JOSH KAMPS IS THE REGIONAL
CROPS AND SOILS EDUCATOR FOR UW
EXTENSION IN SOUTHWEST
WISCONSIN.
TURNER CALLED THE LOCAL TENSION
OFFICE.
>> THAT'S QUITE A DIFFERENCE.
>> FOR HELP.
>> THIS PLANT, ACTUALLY, IF IT'S
GOING TO GROW WELL, IT'S GOING
TO OPEN UP SO THAT IT HAS ALL
THIS SURFACE AREA FOR
PHOTOSYNTHESIS, BUT SINCE IT'S
SO DRY, IT'S TRYING TO ROLL UP
TO CONSERVE THE MOISTURE TO NOT
TRANSPIRE ANY EXTRA OUT OF THE
PLANT.
>> WE REALLY ARE JUST NEEDING TO
BE PATIENT FOR SOME MORE
RAINFALL TO HELP OUR CROPS TAKE
THE NEXT STEP.
>> HOW MUCH LONGER CAN THEY HOLD
OUT?
>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD
QUESTION.
I'M GOING TO BE OPTIMISTIC UNTIL
WE CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY.
AT THAT POINT, I THINK WE'RE
HITTING KIND OF A REAL MILESTONE
WITH THE FACT THAT SOME CROPS
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REVERSE
COURSE.
I KNOW WE'RE VISITING HERE ABOUT
ALFALFA ON THIS PARTICULAR FARM,
AND ALFALFA IS AN INTERESTING
CROP IN THAT IT CAN ACTUALLY GO
DORMANT AND IT CAN MAINTAIN ITS
LIFE AND THEN IT COULD ACTUALLY
COME BACK OUT OF DORMANCY AND
PRODUCE LATER IN THE SEASON.
MORE OF OUR TRADITIONAL ANNUAL
CROPS WILL NOT DO THAT.
CORN, SOYBEAN, FOR INSTANCE.
ONCE THEY'VE REACHED THAT
PERMANENT WILTING POINT, THEY
REALLY WON'T BE ABLE TO REBOUND
THE SAME AS SOME OF OUR
PERENNIAL FORAGES WILL.
>> THEY KEEP TELLING US WE'RE
GOING TO GET RAIN IN JULY, SO
THAT'S ALL WE CAN PRAY FOR RIGHT
NOW, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO NEED
QUITE A BIT OF IT.
THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO.
I THOUGHT ABOUT STARTING TO CUT
HAY.
A LOT OF GUYS ARE STARTING TO
CUT THEIR SECOND CROP HAY.
I DECIDED I'M GOING TO HOLD OFF
BECAUSE IT'S JUST -- THE HAY IS
UNDER SUCH STRESS AND IF WE
DON'T GET RAIN, WILL IT COME
BACK?
I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF IFs
IN THE EQUATION, AND I SELL A
LOT OF HAY AND I DON'T WANT TO
LOSE MY HAY CROP.
THE CORN AND BEAN, THEY HAVE AT
LEAST ANOTHER 10 DAYS THAT
THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SURVIVE THIS
PRETTY DECENTLY, I THINK, IN
MOST AREAS, BUT WITHIN THE NEXT
10 DAYS, IF THEY DON'T GET RAIN,
THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN A WORLD
OF HURT.
I MEAN, WE'VE ALREADY -- I'M
ASSUMING WE'VE ALREADY LOST SOME
OF THE YIELD.
>> WHAT ARE YOU MOST CONCERNED
ABOUT AT THIS POINT?
>> I'M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT
BEING ABLE TO HAVE SOME ANSWERS
WHEN GROWERS CALL, BEING ABLE TO
HELP THEM STAY POSITIVE, HELP
THEM THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT
ARE THE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE
IMMEDIATELY.
THERE MAY BE A CHANCE THAT WE
COULD PLANT A SECOND CROP IF WE
DO GET SOME LATE SEASON RAIN, SO
MAYBE MIDDLE OF JULY TO
BEGINNING OF AUGUST.
WE'LL HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR CROP
INSURANCE AGENT TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE DON'T AFFECT THE CROP
INSURANCE COVERAGE ON OUR FIRST
DROUGHT,CROP, BUT THERE MAY BE A CHANCE
TO GROW A SECOND CROP.
WE DON'T HAVE 100% INSURANCE
COVERAGE, BUT IT WILL DEFINITELY
HELP COVER THE INPUT SIDE OF
MOST FARMS AND THEN GIVE THEM
THAT CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO
PARTICIPATE AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
>> I DO HAVE CROP INSURANCE.
SO YOU ALMOST HAVE TO, AND THIS
DAY AND AGE, BECAUSE THE INPUT
COSTS ARE SO HIGH THAT YOU JUST
CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO HAVE IT.
I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE A TOTAL
LOSS, YOU COULD BE IN BIG
TROUBLE.
I MEAN, IT'S NOT EASY.
>> ARE CROPS IN GENERAL
PREPARED -- OR ARE FARMERS
PREPARED TO HANDLE THIS KIND OF
BACK-AND-FORTH OF EXTREMES?
>> A LOT OF IT STARTS WITH HOW
WE MANAGE OR SOIL.
WHEN WE'RE IN MORE OF A WEATHER
RISK SITUATION, YOU KNOW, WHAT
DOES THAT DO TO OUR CHANCE OF
HAVING A CROP?
SO I THINK WE'RE STARTING TO
LEARN ALL THAT AND TRY TO FIGURE
OUT HOW THOSE ALL FIT TOGETHER.
I KNOW THERE'S CLIMATE SMART
WORK BEING DONE AT U.S.D.A., SO
HOPEFULLY THAT HAS IN MIND THE
GOALS OF FARMERS FOR THEIR LAND
MANAGEMENT, TOO, BECAUSE
ULTIMATELY, THAT REALLY IS WHERE
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE BIGGEST
RESULTS, IS WHAT OUR PRIVATE
LANDOWNERS HAVE THE POWER TO
MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEST
FOR THEM.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST
OF OTHER DROUGHTS OR OTHER TIMES
THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY STRESSFUL
ON OUR FARM AND ON OUR FAMILY.
I THINK GOING IN AND SAY HI TO
YOUR NEIGHBORS, ASK THEM HOW
THEY'RE DOING, THIS CAN REALLY
CAUSE HAVOC ON THE PSYCHE OF OUR
FARMERS.
>> YOUR MIND IS GOING A HUNDRED
MILES AN HOUR, HOW CAN YOU DO
SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO TRY TO
OFF-SET THIS EXPENSE IF YOU'RE
NOT GOING TO MAKE THIS AMOUNT OF
MONEY BECAUSE YOUR CROPS ARE
GOING TO BE DOWN.
YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS GOING
ON.
I MEAN, IT KEEPS YOU UP AT
NIGHT.
>> REPORTING FROM MONT MONTICELLO,
I'M MARISA WOJCIK.
>> FINDING AND AFFORDING
CHILDCARE IN WISCONSIN IS
DIFFICULT FOR MANY FAMILIES AND
NOW STATE BUDGET ACTION THIS
WEEK DE-FUNDED A PANDEMIC
SUBSIDY PROGRAM THAT GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS WANTED TO MAKE
PERMANENT.
THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM AND
HUNDREDS OF MVMENTDZ IN FEDERAL
SUPPORT TO CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
FOR STAFFING AND TO MAINTAIN
COSTS FOR PARENTS.
THE DOLLARS GO AWAY IN FEBRUARY
BUT ARE STEEPLY REDUCED FOR
PROVIDERS STARTING THIS MONTH.
WE CHECK IN WITH ONE CHILDCARE
PROVIDER IN RICHLAND CENTER FOR
HER REACTION TO THE END OF THE
CHILDCARE COUNTS PROGRAM.
WE'RE JOINED BY JENNIE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO YOU HAVE SOME STAFF
INTENSIVE CARE BECAUSE YOU
PROVIDE INFANT CARE, I
UNDERSTAND, THE ONLY SUCH CENTER
WHERE YOU ARE.
WHAT WILL THE LOSS OF THE
FEDERAL DOLLARS MEAN TO YOUR
CENTER AND THE FAMILIES THAT YOU
SERVE?
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE
FEES FOR THE FAMILIES BECAUSE
I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO
BUDGET CORRECTLY TO GIVE THE
TEACHERS THAT I HAVE THE QUALITY
PAY THAT THEY NEED TO KEEP THE
QUALITY TEACHERS.
I WILL HAVE TO CUT MY BUDGETS,
MY SUPPLIES, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO
UPDATE ANY EQUIPMENT.
I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE A TIGHT
GO OF IT WITHOUT THIS MONEY.
>> DO YOU EXPECT THAT, GIVEN
THAT YOU HAVE TO RAISE FEES,
THAT SOME FAMILIES WILL MAKE THE
CHOICE TO FOREGO CHILDCARE AS A
RESULT AND YOU WILL THEREFORE
LOSE FAMILIES?
>> I DO.
I DO.
I FEEL PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE
TO AFFORD IT, THEY WILL NOT BE
ABLE TO WORK.
IT'S GOING TO BE A DOMINO
EFFECT.
>> SO YOU WERE DESCRIBING THAT
UNDER THE PROGRAM, YOU WERE
GETTING ABOUT $10,000 A MONTH.
WHAT WERE YOU ABLE TO DO WITH
THAT EXTRA FEDERAL MONEY COMING
TO YOU THROUGH THIS PROGRAM?
>> THAT MONEY WAS PAYING THE
PAYROLL TAXES THAT I HAVE TO PAY
FOR HAVING MY STAFF, AND ALSO I
WAS UPDATING THINGS.
I RECENTLY OPENED THIS RICHLAND
CENTER AREA AND PROVIDED THREE
MORE ROOMS FOR INFANT CARE, BUT
THAT WAS WITH CHILDCARE COUNTS
MONEY HELPED PAY FOR THE TAXES
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD TO PARTNER
UP, AND THAT HELPED PAY FOR THAT
THREE EXTRA DOORS.
PARTNER UP IS STILL GOING
THROUGH I BELIEVE -- I DON'T
REMEMBER.
ONE MORE YEAR.
THROUGH NEXT YEAR.
AND WITH THIS CHILDCARE COUNTS
CUTS OFF IN FEBRUARY.
>> HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO
MAINTAIN STAFFING LEVELS EVEN
WITH THE FEDERAL SUBSIDY?
>> IT'S HARD.
IT'S HARD.
I DON'T PAY NEAR WHAT I WOULD
LIKE TO BECAUSE OF -- I MEAN, I
HAVE VERY, VERY GOOD STAFF, VERY
GOOD GIRLS THAT LOVE THEIR JOBS,
THEY LOVE THE KIDDOS, BUT I
CAN'T PAY THEM WHAT A FACTORY
WOULD PAY OR SOMEBODY DOWN THE
ROAD, THE HOSPITALS CAN PAY, BUT
THEY LOVE THEIR JOBS AND THEY
LOVE WHAT THEY DO.
IT'S HARD TO COMPETE WITH THE
OUTSIDE.
>> WHAT YOU DO IS SO VITAL AND
SO IMPORTANT AND SUCH HARD WORK.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE
LEGISLATURE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
AND ITS IMPORTANCE?
>> I'M REALLY HOPING THAT THEY
CAN REVISIT IT AND, YOU KNOW,
FIND A WAY TO PUT IT INTO THE
BUDGET.
IT'S SOMETHING THANKFUL HAS
HELPED FAMILIES, I MEAN, THE
FUNDS -- WE'VE OPENED UP 200
SLOTS WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS
JUST WITH THESE FUNDS AND THE
HELP OF THESE FUNDS, WE'RE
HELPING LOTS OF FAMILIES GET
BACK TO WORK.
WE ARE IN THE BROOKLYN CENTER
AREA.
THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND
CHILDCARE.
WE'RE MOVING PEOPLE FROM OTHER
STATES UP TO WISCONSIN BECAUSE
OF THIS CHILDCARE.
I JUST HAD A FAMILY SIGN UP FROM
GEORGIA, SOMEONE MOVED FROM
TEXAS.
SO, I MEAN, THIS PROGRAM, I
DON'T RELY ON FEDERAL MONEY, BUT
IT IS VERY HELPFUL TO KEEP MY
DOORS OPEN AND KEEP THE HIGH
QUALITY CARE THAT WE GIVE HERE
AT SUNSHINE.
>> ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN
CO-CHAIRS OF THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE SAYS THEY WILL BE
BANKING $MAKING $45 MILLION
AVAILABLE NOR LOW INCOME
FAMILIES AND $15 MILLION FOR A
REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR
CHILDCARE CENTER UPGRADES.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK
SOUNDS WOULD BE HELPFUL?
>> THE LOW INCOMES FAMILIES,
YES, BUT YOU'RE REALLY MISSING
THE MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES OR
THE -- OR THE MIDDLE INCOME
FAMILIES THAT DON'T QUALIFY FOR
THOSE PROGRAMS, AND THAT'S WHERE
I CAN KEEP MY FEES AT A DECENTLY
LEVEL FOR THOSE -- DECENT LEVEL
FOR THOSE FAMILIES.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME,
JENNIE.
GOOD LUCK.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER AND
NOW SUMMER SCHOOL BEGINS, BUT
WHO IS GOING AND HOW MIGHT EXTRA
CLASS TIME HELP MAKE UP FOR
LEARNING LOSS SUFFERED DURING
THE PANDEMIC?
SARA SHAW SPECIALIZES IN
EDUCATION AS SENIOR RESEARCHER
FOR THE WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM.
SARA, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH
US.
>> MY PLEASURE.
>> SO WE KNOW ACCORDING TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
THAT THE ACTUAL ENROLLMENT
NUMBERS FOR SUMMER SCHOOL THIS
SUMMER DON'T COME OUT UNTIL
OCTOBER.
BUT WHAT DO TRENDS FROM RECENT
PRIOR YEARS OF SUMMER SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE ACROSS THE STATE TELL
US?
>> SO PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC,
SUMMER SCHOOL ENROLLMENT HAD
GENERALLY BEEN INCREASING.
THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND SUMMER
2020, IT SAW A 57% DECREASE.
THE QUESTION WAS WHAT WAS GOING
TO HAPPEN STARTING IN SUMMER
2021 AND WHAT WE SAW IN THAT
YEAR WAS THAT ENROLLMENT WAS
BACK UP TO 88.3% OF 2019
ENROLLMENT, SO WHAT WE SCRIBAL
AS A PARTIAL RECOVERY.
A LOT OF THE DISTRICTS FULLY
RECOVERED AND MANY DID NOT.
THEN WE LOOKED RECENTLY TO SEE
WHAT HAPPENED FOR SUMMER 2020.
SO LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.
AND THE NUMBERS BARELY BUDGED,
SO IT'S ONLY UP BY HALF A
PERCENTAGE POINT.
WE'RE AT 88.8% OF WHAT THE
NUMBERS WERE IN 2019.
AND THESE NUMBERS ARE RELEVANT
BECAUSE WHILE SUMMER SCHOOL
ISN'T EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE, IT
WAS SERVING A PURPOSE PRIOR TO
THE PANDEMIC AND THE QUESTION
IS, HAS IT BEEN ABLE TO REGAIN
THAT ORIGINAL PURPOSE, MUCH LESS
BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
SUPPORT TO HELP LEARNING
RECOVERY.
>> SO WHY WOULDN'T ENROLLMENT
MOSTLY HAVE REBOUNDED AFTER THE
WORST OF COVID?
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF
HYPOTHETICALS.
I THINK IN THAT 2021, THAT FIRST
YEAR BACK, THERE WERE CONCERNS
OF STAFF BURN-OUT, OF CONTINUED
COVID HESITANCY, EVEN WITH THE
VACCINES, DISTRICTS GETTING
THEMSELVES GOING AGAIN.
AS WE GET FURTHER OUT, I THINK
THE EXPLANATIONS BECOME TRICKIER
TO PIN DOWN, AND IT IS A TIGHT
LABOR MARKED, SO TEACHERS HAVE A
LOT OF OPTIONS OR HAD A LOT OF
OPTIONS, AT LEAST, OF WHAT THEY
COULD BE DOING OVER THE SUMMER
AND BUDGETS AT THE STATE AND
LOCAL LEVEL WERE FAIRLY
CONSTRAINED.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MANY
DISTRICTS HAD ACCESS TO FEDERAL
RELIEF FUNDS THAT COULD HAVE
HELPED FUND THAT SUMMER SCHOOL.
SO PROBABLY MOST RELATED TO
STAFFING, BUT ALSO QUESTIONS
ABOUT SCHOOL BUDGETS AND
PARENTAL INTEREST, OR PARENTS
AND GUARDIANS THINKING ABOUT HOW
DID THEY WANT THEIR KIDS
EXPECTED THE SUMMER.
>> YOU WROTE A TALE OF TWO
DISTRICTS, ONE BEING MILWAUKEE,
WHICH DID NOT REBOUND
SIGNIFICANTLY AT ALL, AND ONE
BEING GREEN BAY, WHICH DID AND
REALLY LEANED INTO THIS KIND OF
SUMMER SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THESE TWO DISTRICTS?
>> WELL, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT
TO JUST LOOK AT SUMMER SCHOOL
BECAUSE EACH OF THESE DISTRICTS
ARE TAKING ON SO MANY DIFFERENT
EFFORTS OF WHICH SUMMER SCHOOL
IS A PIECE, BUT GREEN BAY REALLY
MADE THE STRATEGIC INVESTMENT TO
SAY SUMMER SCHOOL IS THE LEVER
WE ARE GOING TO PULL, OR ONE OF
THE MAJOR LEVERS WE ARE GOING TO
PULL TO GET OUR TEACHERS BACK IN
PERSON, GETTING OUR STUDENTS
USED TO BEING BACK IN PERSON.
THEY SWITCHED FROM A PART-DAY
PROGRAM TOE A FULL-DAY PROGRAM
BECAUSE IT GAVE THAT EXTRA TIME
WITH KIDS TO NOT ONLY HELP THEM
CATCH UP ACADEMICALLY AND
ACCELERATE THEIR LEARNING, AND
ALSO REESTABLISH SOME OF THOSE
SOCIAL TIES THAT REALLY WERE
FRAYED OR EVEN BROKEN FROM THE
PANDEMIC AND IT WAS A RESPONSE
TO PARENTS WHO WERE ASKING FOR
FULL-DAY CHILDCARE, SUMMER
SCHOOL FOR ALL OF ITS BENEFITS
FOR STUDENTS IS ALSO CHILDCARE
FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, SO
THAT WAS A BIG INVESTMENT, THAT
IN MANY RESPECTS FROM ENROLLMENT
SEEMS LIKE IT WAS VERY
SUCCESSFUL, BUT ALSO BROUGHT
BUDGETARY CHALLENGES FOR THE
DISTRICT.
NPS HAS BEEN PUTTING ITS
INVESTMENTS ELSEWHERE, SO SUMMER
SCHOOL AS PART OF THEIR RECOVERY
EFFORTS.
>> JUST SUPER QUICKLY, WE KNOW
THAT THE COVID RELIEF FUNDS
EXPIRE IN 2024, FUNDS THAT HAD
HELPED DISTRICTS KIND OF DO
THESE SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON AFTER
THAT?
>> AFTER THAT, DEPENDS A LOT ON
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STATE
LEGISLATURE.
THE QUESTION IS TO WHAT EXTENT
COULD DISTRICTS PULL ON STATE
AND LOCAL DOLLARS TO HELP SMOOTH
THAT TRANSITION AWAY FROM THE
FEDERAL FUNDS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SARA SHAW, THANKS FOR YOUR
EXPERTISE.
>> MY PLEASURE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT PBS WISCONSIN
DOT-ORG AND THEN CLICK ON THE
NEWS TAB.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
(CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY
RIVERSIDE CAPTIONING COMPANY)
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.