Bishop Barrow's Letter to Wisconsin Legislature

Posted by Amy on Friday, 25 February 2011

February 25, 2011

Dear Members of the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee:

We write to you as constituents and as members of the Greater Milwaukee Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America requesting you use the powers entrusted by the people of Wisconsin to seek reconciliation and compassion in this budget debate.

As people of faith we are deeply concerned the provisions contained within the Budget Adjustment Bill will be devastating to those living in poverty. Scripture continually urges us to love and serve our neighbors in need. Therefore we cannot be silent when proposed policies in the legislation, such as changes to the Medicaid program, will negatively impact the lives of thousands in our state and many in our congregations.

The Greater Milwaukee Synod is made up of 137 congregations and 91,000 baptized members serving in southeast Wisconsin. The congregations of our synod are located in small towns, suburban communities, and in the heart of our cities. It is our commitment to walk with the poor which unites us in our diversity. Each week the people of this synod pray that God will grant you the wisdom to find solutions which serve the poor with dignity.

Together with those whose lives will be deeply impacted by the Budget Repair Bill, we ask for your commitment to work for a fair, compassionate, and just outcome. In remembering the poor, let us also remember that we have an obligation to alleviate the pain of those who have suffered for far too long.

Signed by Bishop Jeff Barrow and the people of the Greater Milwaukee Synod