OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – A cross-country bus tour raising awareness about the implications of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ made its final stop in Oshkosh on Friday evening.
An organization called ‘Fair Share America’ has toured the country spreading their message that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ isn’t good for Americans.
“We want the American public to know what exactly is in this law and what the next steps that we are collectively taking to fight back and make sure we see nothing like this happen again,” said Kristen Crowell, who is the executive director of ‘Fair Share America.’
‘Fair Share America’ held a town hall at the Culver Family Welcome Center on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s campus on Friday evening. There were several speakers including former candidate for Congress Dr. Kristin Lyerly. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to share how the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ and other Trump administration policies have impacted their lives.
The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ slashes Medicaid, food assistance programs, and green energy incentives to help offset the cost of $4.5 trillion worth of tax cuts. It renewed the tax cuts he had implemented during his first term in office.
Trump’s tax cuts reduce taxes at almost all levels of taxable incomes. The critique from Democrats is that the amount of money saved from the tax cuts is higher for wealthier folks and corporations than it is for the middle and working class and the poor.
The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ does include temporary deductions on tax on tips, overtime, and auto loans. Many families will see a larger child tax credit as well. Republicans argue that these provisions should end any argument that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ benefits the wealthy more than the average American.
Menasha nonprofit hosts annual school supply drive
“What we hear from people all over the country is that what was put in the bill and described as good things for working people are just really small crumbs,” Crowell said. “Those parts of the bill (that benefit regular Americans) expire while the ones that help the billionaires and the ultra-rich are permanent.
“I didn’t realize that the millionaires and billionaires were worried about tax on their tips,” said Republican Party of Winnebago County Cameron Clark. “Last time I checked, they weren’t the ones getting income from that. You look at me, I have three kids, there’s an increase in the child tax credit.”
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates that 270,000 Wisconsinites could lose their health insurance because of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’. Many others risk losing access to food assistance programs.
The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ adds work and eligibility requirements for these programs. Republicans have long maintained that it’s all about weeding out waste, fraud, and abuse and making sure that only those who actually need the programs get access to them.
“American programs should be for American citizens, that’s the biggest thing,” Clark said. “These are here to give them a step up, not to stay on this. When you look at work requirements, it’s so people can have the dignity of work and get out there and be self-sufficient.”
“It is the work requirement, paperwork that is now forcing folks who may have a disability to complete forms over and over again (that are making this tough on folks),” said Crowell. “The majority who receive Medicaid or food assistance are working.”
Trump says he will meet Putin in Alaska on Friday
Crowell ended the town hall in Oshkosh with a call to action. She said people need to continue to call their representatives and try to explain to them why they feel the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ isn’t good for Americans.
She also said it’s important to have conversations with your neighbors, even those people who support the president and the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act.’
