The Wisconsin Budget: A Once-in-a-Biennium Opportunity to Strengthen Civil Legal Aid 

Every two years, Wisconsin’s state government sets a new budget—an extensive process that determines how billions of dollars will be spent. While this might seem like just another round of bureaucratic decision-making, the truth is that the state budget directly impacts every Wisconsinite. It dictates funding for essential services like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public safety. And this biennium, there is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for thousands of low-income families by securing funding for civil legal aid. 

The Budget Process: Who Decides Where the Money Goes? 

The Wisconsin budget process starts with the Governor’s proposal, known as the Executive Budget. In February 2025, Governor Evers released his budget plan, which was sent to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC). This committee, made up of 16 legislators (12 Republicans and 4 Democrats), reviews and modifies before sending it to the full Legislature for a vote. 

During the spring, the JFC holds public hearings across the state, offering Wisconsinites a chance to weigh in on budget priorities. These hearings provide an opportunity for people to speak directly to decision-makers about the services and programs that matter most to them. Constituents can also call, email, or ask to meet with their legislator to express what they would like to see in the budget. By summer 2025, the JFC will finalize its draft, and the Legislature will debate and vote on the budget before sending it back to the Governor for approval, veto, or partial veto. 

The Case for Civil Legal Aid 

When faced with a legal crisis, we all want to have the information and tools to be able to come to a fair resolution, regardless of our income or status. Unfortunately, in civil court, you have no legal right to an attorney if you cannot afford one, so many people are left struggling without any help navigating the system. Civil legal aid ensures fairness in the justice system for those who cannot afford an attorney in civil cases, which may involve issues surrounding housing, employment, domestic violence, and consumer fraud. Unfortunately, Wisconsin does not allocate state funding for civil legal aid, despite the significant benefits it provides to individuals, families, and the broader community. We know that there is an $8.40 return on every dollar invested in civil legal aid (click here to read the report). 

Thirty-six other states invest in civil legal aid because they recognize the return on investment. Civil legal aid helps: 

• Prevent homelessness by keeping people housed 

• Remove barriers to employment so people can work and support their families 

• Protect vulnerable populations, including seniors and domestic violence survivors 

• Reduce reliance on costly public services by resolving legal issues early and effectively 

With a $4.6 billion surplus in general funds, Wisconsin has a rare opportunity to invest in a service that strengthens communities, supports economic stability, provides a return on investment, and promotes justice for all. 

Wisconsinites Shape the Budget Process 

Legislators and their staff are always interested to hear from constituents about the issues that matter most to them. In addition to reviewing phone calls and emails, there are opportunities during the budget process in which legislators specifically seek the public’s feedback about how the state should be prioritizing funding. Legislators will hold listening sessions in their districts, and the JFC will conduct a number of listening sessions and public hearings throughout the state, which are all open to the public (click here to view the schedule). While the budget may seem like a distant policy matter, it is deeply personal—it affects families, workers, and entire communities. 

If you want to learn more about how the budget process works click here. You can also find your legislators and learn more about their priorities by clicking here.

The state budget only comes around once every two years—this is a moment when voices can make a difference. 

About Legal Action of Wisconsin 

Legal Action of Wisconsin provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals across 39 counties in central and southern Wisconsin, serving individuals in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Legal Action also serves specialized populations like the elderly, victims of crime, and veterans. Every day, we see firsthand how legal aid changes lives—helping families stay in their homes, workers break down barriers to employment, and domestic violence survivors find safety. 

The need for legal aid has never been greater. Over 750,000 Wisconsinites are eligible for legal aid services, yet only 7% of civil legal problems receive any legal help. This gap in services represents a crisis for Wisconsinites left to navigate a complicated bureaucratic court system on their own–and consequently, a crisis for the courts and communities across the state. 

The state budget is more than numbers on a page—it’s a reflection of our values and priorities. As the budget process unfolds, it’s worth considering what kind of Wisconsin we want to build and what role civil legal aid should play in that vision.