Tony Evers asks Trump to delay federal freeze as move sends Wisconsin government scrambling

Yahoo

28-01-2025

MADISON - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is asking President Donald Trump to delay the implementation of a freeze on federal assistance, arguing Wisconsinites "are rightfully alarmed and concerned by this unprecedented decision" and are left scrambling.
Trump's order freezing federal grants sent shockwaves through Wisconsin government on Tuesday as officials sought to understand how the move could impact agencies and infrastructure projects across the state.
Evers in a letter sent to Trump on Tuesday seeking more guidance about which programs in the state would be affected and pleaded for a delay.
"According to the memo, beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 28, the Trump Administration will begin indefinitely withholding federal tax dollars from Wisconsin that were already approved bythe U.S. Congress, leaving billions sitting in Washington, D.C. that help kids, families, and businesses in Wisconsin and across America every day," Evers wrote. "With very few details and specifics available, virtually no time for ample review and consideration, and no direct communication to date, states are left to plan for the worst, and Wisconsinites and millions of Americans who are rightfully alarmed and concerned by this unprecedented decision are left scrambling."
A spokeswoman for Trump did not immediately have a reaction to Evers' letter.
Wisconsin's state government receives $28 billion in federal assistance, 61% of which is routed to the Department of Health Services where the bulk is spent on Medicaid programs, according to the state Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal bureau. The rest is spent largely on services for low-income families and programs for public schools, the University of Wisconsin System and the state Department of Transportation.
Evers is planning to release a two-year state budget plan on Feb. 18. The new directive from the Trump administration could push Evers officials to rewrite their spending plan but a spokeswoman did not know how the order could affect their work as of Monday.
Schools in Wisconsin could see a big hit to their programs depending on how the freeze is carried out, according to a spokesman for the state Department of Public Instruction, which distributes federal aid to school districts. DPI spokesman Chris Bucher said areas like special education, school nutrition, programs that support low-income students and technology could be affected.
'We are currently working to understand the full impact of this directive on our students, educators, and school programs across the state. Federal grants and funding are essential to giving Wisconsin students the support they need to succeed," DPI state superintendent Jill Underly said in a statement.
The broad order from the White House led to confusion Tuesday in both Washington and Wisconsin, as state officials and agencies sought to identify programs that could be impacted.
A spokesman for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the memo 'has raised very serious concerns' for the mayor. He noted agencies from police and fire to health and housing rely on federal funding and said Johnson was working 'to fully analyze the implications.'
In Washington on Tuesday, scores of members of Congress, including Wisconsin Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore, sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Matthew Vaeth requesting an itemized list of programs and projects put on hold because of the order.
The members said the White House memo 'provides only a series of broad, subjective policy objectives, rather than detailed guidelines specifying which projects ought to be frozen.'
Agencies will submit a list of programs potentially affected by Feb. 10.
'Trump's unprecedented decision to suspend ALL federal grants, loans, & other financial aid will have a devastating impact on EVERY community across the country,' Pocan wrote on X.
Moore, who represents the Milwaukee area, questioned the constitutionality of Trump's decision, noting that the Constitution gives Congress the power to appropriate funding, not the president.
"If MAGA goes through with this unconstitutional move straight out of the Project 2025 playbook, this will have sweeping consequences," Moore said.
Programs like Head Start, a federally funded after-school program for children from low-income families, could be affected by the freeze.
"As a Head Start parent, I know how important funding child care programs for low income families is," Moore said. "Losing that access would force poor parents out of the workforce."
Tom Tiffany, a Republican who represents the 7th Congressional District and is mulling a run for governor, signaled he supported the move.
"President Trump pledged to bring greater accountability on how taxpayer dollars are being spent, and he is delivering on that promise. The temporary funding pause allows his administration to review spending, ensuring funds are directed toward initiatives that benefit the American people," Tiffany said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers asks Trump to delay federal freeze as move sends shockwaves