Representatives Visit Richland Center to Hear About Tariff Impacts

Senators Brad Pfaff and Sarah Keyeski, along with Lt. Governor, Sara Rodriguez, held a roundtable in Richland Center Thursday (April 24). The purpose of the roundtable was to hear from the community and business leaders on the effects of local impacts caused by federal cuts and actions.

Those attending were representatives from:

The Richland Hospital & Clinics, CEO Bruce Roesler and Vice-President of Professional Services Deanna Caspers to talk about Medicaid cuts.

From the Kickapoo School District, Middle and High School Principal, Aaron Mithum to discuss education funding.

The Executive Director of Feeding Wisconsin, Jackie Anderson, to discuss the impacts of the cuts to federal funding on her organizations and food pantries across the state.

From the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Gina Laack, Ingrid Hanson, Roxanne Klubertanz-Gerber, and Nicole Baumeister to discuss the impact that potential Medicaid cuts would have on their organization and people they serve.

Representatives from Southwest Community Action Program, Executive Director Brett White, Senior Director Courtney Messer, HR Director Marisol Contreras, and Senior Director Chris Frakes to discuss the impact of federal cuts on Head Start, as well as other programs that affect their organization.

Sally Leong, a member of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and owner of Three Fawn Meadows Farm. She discussed the effect tariffs are having on Wisconsin farmers.

TJ Semanchin, owner of Wonderstate Coffee to discuss the effect that tariffs or other federal issues have on small businesses.

Senator Brad Pfaff said that it was a very good listening session.

When it comes to Head Start, representatives stated that no one seems to know what is going on. The response they hear is, “don’t call us, we’ll call you.” They said Head Start is strongly appearing to be gone.

Roxanne Klubertanz-Gerber stated that 42% of their revenue for the ADRC comes from federal funding.

Senator Sarah Keyeski said that people are really concerned and anxious wondering what is going to happen next.

Sally Leong said that farmers are not investing in fertilizer or machinery due to the tariffs. TJ Semanchin said that small business are not having their supplies shipped which means they will soon go out of business.

Perhaps the best advice for all of us comes from Roxanne Klubertanz-Gerber…