>> 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 WI W.I.C.

TO HEP 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.

>> TEA IT'S 2023, MA'AM, AND I'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.

>> 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 DROUGCROP, BUT THERE MAY BE A CE 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 MO 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.

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