Assembly Democrats introduced a proposal to use $1.3 billion of the state’s surplus to freeze property taxes and increase state funding for public schools. Wisconsin’s nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects a $2.5 billion budget balance at the end of the current two-year cycle in June 2027
After the Legislature offered no additional general aid for public schools in the last budget, school districts which chose to raise revenue limits (per-pupil spending) were forced to pass those increases onto property taxpayers. The Democrats’ proposal seeks to increase state aid, which would negate the need for those property tax increases.
Additionally, the proposal would increase the special education reimbursement rate to 60%, which was the minimum requested by school districts across Wisconsin. Currently, the reimbursement rate for special education costs is projected to be approximately 35% this school year, which is 7% below the budgeted 42%.
State Representative Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) said in a statement, “Speaker Vos and his caucus may have decided we are done working for the year, but Assembly Democrats know we need action, not adjournment. Across the board, Wisconsinites have been asking for more funding for our schools and action to lower property taxes. Democrats have rolled up our sleeves and have a plan to help schools, families, and communities.”
Together, these solutions could reduce the need for operating referendums across Wisconsin. Years of funding that failed to account for inflation have forced many school districts into asking local taxpayers for additional funding through referendums. At least 61 school districts, including the Appleton Area School District and the Menasha Joint School District, have an operational referendum on the April 7 ballot. An operational referendum would cover general operating expenses such as transportation, utilities, and salaries.
“We know this proposal will have bipartisan support in our neighborhoods as families seek solutions to constant referendums and public schools struggling to do more with less,” Snodgrass said. “Courage to pass meaningful solutions that invest in schools and address property taxes instead of giveaways and gimmicks is what the people of Wisconsin are calling for.”
Republican leaders are currently in discussions with Governor Evers, debating how to best spend the surplus. Among other options on the table are tax relief and infrastructure investment. Federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits may also be left to the states to fill.
Snodgrass added, “I remain hopeful that Legislative Republicans and Governor Evers are ready to listen to public education professionals, parents, and local taxpayers, and pass our bill.”
