Wisconsin budget calls for increased staffing at DSPS
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers' administration is advocating for increased staffing at the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to prevent potential delays in professional licensing. The department, responsible for overseeing over 200 types of credentials, faces the expiration of approximately 30 temporary contract positions later this year. Evers' budget proposal seeks to replace these with 24 permanent full-time roles dedicated to application processing and call center operations. DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth warns that without these positions, licensing wait times could double or triple, adversely affecting individuals entering professions such as nursing and plumbing. The proposed $164 million budget for DSPS over two years would be funded primarily through licensing fees, not tax dollars. While the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee has removed several items from Evers' budget, the request for additional DSPS staffing remains under consideration.