Democrats Propose “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” Set of Bills

MADISON, WI- (WGBW) – Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature announced their first bill package of 2025 last week. The “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” package aims to lower the cost of housing, groceries, and prescription drugs for Wisconsinites.

Representative Lori Palmeri (D-Oshkosh) helped to co-author the “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” bill package. She said in a press release the three-bill package would reduce the tax burden for renters and homeowners by expanding the Homestead Tax Credit. The costs of grocery bills for families would be reduced by enacting Healthy School Meals for All. And they would decrease prescription drug prices through the Less for Rx agenda.

“In the 54th District and around the State, folks have made it clear they want action to help save on groceries and prescription drugs, afford their homes, and improve their lives,” Palmeri said in a press release. “‘Lowering costs, Improving Lives’ will help working families, seniors, all people in our district as well as folk from every corner of the state.”

Lowering Costs, Improving Lives Bill Package 

This package addresses three big goals: feed kids, provide tax relief, and lower the cost of prescription drugs – goals that I think everyone, regardless of party affiliation, can get behind.

Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim

Health School Meals for All

The Healthy School Meals for All bill would allow school districts to receive additional funding to provide free breakfast and lunch for public school K-12 students. By providing free meals at school, the USDA estimates this will save families with children $154 a month per child.

“That every kid would be able to get breakfast and lunch. We would actually save money because the cost of administering a program and collecting fees actually costs us dollars,” new State Assembly Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay) told Civic Media’s Rational Revolution with Mark Becker. “So it’s government efficiency to provide a non-means tested free access to meals.”

Homestead Tax Credit

The bill to expand the Homestead Tax Credit would offer more low-income homeowners and renters by extending eligibility to individuals earning up to $35,000 annually. Democrats say The Homestead Tax Credit, as it currently stands, has not kept up with inflation and has not increased since 2010.

“An expansion of the so-called Homestead Tax Credit, which helps low-income people and senior citizens on fixed-incomes with their property tax bills, is something that very dramatically helps people that are struggling to make ends meet,” State Senator Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay) told Civic Media’s Rational Revolution with Mark Becker. 

Less for RX

The Less for RX bill is designed to lower prescription drug prices through review boards, a program allowing the state to import lower-cost drugs, increase transparency in regulation and oversight of the pharmaceutical supply chain, and establish a $50 copay cap on insulin for all Wisconsinites.

“You shouldn’t be spending $200-$300 a month on insulin – Something that was actually happening to my mother,” said Rivera-Wagner. “She is on somewhat of a limited income. She was spending up to $300 a month on insulin, which is absolutely wild.”

Passing the Bills

The three bills proposed by the Wisconsin Democratic Caucus may be a hard sell in the legislature, which leans heavily toward the Republican side.

“These are deeply common sense,” Rivera-Wagner said. “There will be a debate. They may not get passed. But the answer to pushing things that you believe in isn’t waiting for the perfect time, it’s making sure we are very clear about them, and making sure that the people of this community are interested in advocating for that with us.” 

Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) said in a press release, “This package addresses three big goals: feed kids, provide tax relief, and lower the cost of prescription drugs – goals that I think everyone, regardless of party affiliation, can get behind. This package directly addresses one of the main concerns that we hear from Wisconsinites over and over again – the rising cost of living.”