Wisconsin Republicans Boost School Funding $336M Below Governor Proposal

Wisconsin Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee approved a K-12 education funding plan that increases spending by about $336 million, significantly less than the roughly $3 billion proposed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The GOP plan notably omits new funding for general school aids, which help offset education costs for local property taxpayers, and instead directs money toward specific programs such as special education, high-cost special education, and mental health. The special education reimbursement rate would increase to 37.5% by the 2026-27 school year, a substantial shortfall compared to Evers' proposed 60%, which advocates and parents have strongly urged. Republicans justify their approach as fiscally responsible and affordable, emphasizing budget restraint, while Democrats criticize the plan as inadequate and argue it fails to address the growing burden on school districts and property taxpayers. Negotiations between the parties collapsed recently, leaving the two sides sharply divided on key budget priorities including school funding and tax policy, with Republicans also voting for $1.3 billion in income tax cuts focused on retirement income and expanding lower tax brackets. This budget approach marks a departure from previous state funding patterns and has sparked debate over balancing educational needs with fiscal constraints.