Letter to Congressional leaders includes specific demands aimed at providing immediate relief during the coronavirus pandemic
MADISON, Wis. — Today, members of the Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee sent a letter to Congressional leaders, demanding support for working Wisconsinites in the next coronavirus relief package.
“We are a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. As farmers, small business owners, social workers, local officials, community organizers, restaurant owners, educators, and tradespeople, we are focused on elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies championed by President Donald Trump and his allies these past three years, and showing how they have made Wisconsin’s economy worse off,” the steering committee members wrote in their letter. “As you consider additional legislation to provide economic relief to Americans during this crisis, Opportunity Wisconsin insists you focus more on measures to immediately support middle-and working-class folks, not just the wealthy few.”
The demands laid out in the letter include:
Hazard pay for all essential workers continuing to serve Wisconsin’s communities.
Ongoing direct cash transfers to safeguard Wisconsinites against the volatile economy.
Robust financial assistance for small businesses across the state struggling to make ends meet, in place of the mismanaged Paycheck Protection Program, which has failed to actually deliver relief to small businesses.
Funding for hospitals, community health centers, ventilators, tests, and personal protective equipment.
Robust funding for childcare so essential workers in Wisconsin can access quality, affordable childcare.
Prohibition of foreclosures and evictions for Wisconsinites struggling to make payments.
Refusal to shield corporations from legal liability for their workers' and customers' health.
Funding for state and local governments to ensure firefighters, local public health professionals, and other essential publicly-funded workers are paid.
Protections for Wisconsin’s small businesses against private equity firms buying up and gutting our communities’ long-standing businesses.
Learn more about the Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee here.
About Opportunity Wisconsin
Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies championed by President Trump and his allies these past three years, and showing how they have made Wisconsin’s economy worse off. Join us in demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites, not just the wealthy few. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.
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