State Rep. Samantha Kerkman and Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser jointly released the following statement on supplemental state funding to Kenosha County to support Income Maintenance programs:
State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Randall) and Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser applauded the Joint Finance Committee today on its passage of items 7 and 8 of Motion #360 under the 2013-2015 Biennial Budget that will provide one-time supplemental state funding to Kenosha County to support Income Maintenance programs. Income Maintenance includes programs that provide important services to individuals in the community. These programs support mental health initiatives, stabilize families with substance abuse issues, support reunification efforts for children in foster care, and help keep delinquent youth out of correctional facilities, among other functions. The approved budget motion provides $750,000 in state funding to Kenosha County in each of the next two fiscal years. “I am very pleased with the action taken by the Joint Finance Committee on Income Maintenance,” said Rep. Kerkman. “County Executive Kreuser and I have worked together with local and county workers on this important issue. As economic recovery continues in southeastern Wisconsin, the new provisions included in the motion will provide much-needed relief to Kenosha County and will allow the county to continue to meet its important financial obligations to provide vital services for children and families in our community.” Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said that the additional funding was critical. “It would have had an impact on services for some of the most vulnerable in our county,” he said. “Representative Samantha Kerkman showed true leadership to garner support, along with her other county colleagues, for the county’s highest priority issue,” Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said. “This is another example of the Kenosha County delegation circling the wagons to take care of an issue that was significant to address.”