MADISON — Thursday, Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance condemned Republican lawmakers for once again refusing to fully fund the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). DSPS is responsible for licensing more than 240 professions across the state, including direct care providers, tradespeople, and social workers.

Year after year, Republicans have refused to give DSPS the staff it needs. That chronic underfunding created major backlogs in professional licensing. Governor Evers stepped in, using federal funds and emergency staffing to stabilize the system. Thanks to those investments and DSPS’s innovation, licensing delays were dramatically reduced. But now, by rejecting permanent support, Republicans have voted to bring these delays back.

The four Democratic members of the Joint Committee on Finance issued the following statement:

“Every time Republicans shortchange DSPS, new graduates end up waiting weeks or months to get to work. That contributes to short-staffed clinics, backlogged construction sites, and fewer services for families. At a time when our economy is already reeling from the Trump trade wars, Wisconsin should be helping people get to work. Instead, they’re creating delays.”

“DSPS proved what’s possible with the right support. They updated old systems, added transparency, and issued licenses faster than ever before. Instead of building on that success, Republicans are pulling the rug out. And when nurses, electricians, and social workers can’t get to work, it's the rest of us who pay the price.”