| The state biennial budget, 2025 Wisconsin Act 15, which funds Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, was signed by Governor Tony Evers on July 3, 2025 and includes total expenditures of over $111 billion. Entering the budget process, the state had an over $4 billion surplus. After this biennium, Wisconsin’s surplus is projected to be about $770 million.
The WCC’s budget summary is limited to appropriations of greatest interest to the WCC and Catholic groups. It does not report on appropriations that remain unchanged from the previous biennium and, for the most part, does not consider further statutory changes that may have been enacted through other legislation. Provisions which the WCC supported, but which were not included in the final budget, are listed at the end of the summary. You can read the budget and non-budget issues the WCC is lobbying on this session in the WCC’s Session Priorities. |
WCC Celebrates Lives That Will Be Saved Due to Pause in Abortions
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| On September 25, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference welcomed the announcement that Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin would pause abortions beginning on October 1, 2025. Though not related, the action coincides with the beginning of Respect Life Month.
Planned Parenthood’s pause is in response to the new federal tax law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which imposes a one-year prohibition on federal funding to certain entities that receive Medicaid funding and provide abortions.
Tia Izzia, WCC Associate Director for Human Life & Social Concerns, noted that no one knows how long the pause will last, but that “it is undeniable that many human lives will be saved for as long as the pause is in effect.”
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood has filed lawsuits seeking to stop the new federal law. To learn more, read the WCC’s press release below and watch this short video from Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities. |
Action at the Capitol
Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls ▲ Registered in support
SB 404 (Jesse James, R-Thorp) / AB 392 (Sheila Stubbs, D-Madison) Creating a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls and making an appropriation.
Status: The bills await public hearings.
Stillbirth Tax Credit ▲ Testified in support
SB 379 (André Jacque, R-De Pere) / AB 373 (Lindee Rae Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls) Creating a refundable individual income tax credit for the parent of a stillbirth and making an appropriation.
Status: Since the public hearing, the Assembly committee has taken no further action.
Deep Fakes ▲ Registered in support
SB 33 (André Jacque, R-De Pere) / AB 33 (Brent Jacobson, R-Mosinee) Representations depicting nudity.
Status: Signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 34. |
USCCB Urges Reflection on Value of Life: “See Christ in Every Person, Even Those Whose Politics You Oppose”
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| On the fifth anniversary of Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical letter on fraternity and social friendship, Archbishop Broglio, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued an invitation to every American, urging all to reflect on the value of every human life and to see Christ in every person.
In the face of grievous acts of violence, Archbishop Broglio asks every American to reflect on the value of every human life: |
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| “I beg you to see Christ in every person, even those whose politics you oppose. Each of us should examine our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions and ask ourselves how we contribute to the polarization and animosity plaguing our nation. We should also put into practice those behaviors that can help us begin to heal the rifts between us. Consider performing a corporal work of mercy—feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Consider fasting from social media for one day a week or in the evening. Pray for your enemies.” |
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| He asks us all to listen and talk to those with whom we disagree, exhorting all to, “Disagree, debate civilly, stand for your rights, but always remember in your heart that we are all children of God and deserve dignity and life.” |
More Updates from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
To take action on the USCCB’s current federal action alerts, click here. |
Legislative Resources
Find the WCC’s session priorities, legislative committees, contact info for your legislators, and more.
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