Increase school funding by $1.4 billion over two years in first budget
Tony Evers
“As governor, Tony will: Increase school funding by $1.4 billion over two years in his first state budget.”
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The level is much lower than pledged, but final budget shows more than $500 million increase
In the midst of the 2018 campaign, Gov. Tony Evers -- then state schools superintendent -- submitted a budget seeking a $1.4 billion increase in K-12 education in Wisconsin.
Evers pledged he would increase spending by that amount and achieve it within his first two-year budget.
His 2019-21 budget included the $1.4 billion, an increase of 10%. But the Republican-controlled state Legislature balked at that level, putting only an additional $505 million into K-12 education.
Using his extensive veto powers, Evers was able to craft his way to adding an additional $65 million for schools. That brought the total increase to $570 million over two years.
But that's still well short of the promised $1.4 billion.
We rate this promise Compromise.
Our Sources
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tony Evers seeks $1.4 billion increase for Wisconsin schools, Sept. 16, 2018
Wisconsin State Journal, GOP budget clears Senate, next heads to Tony Evers' desk, June 27, 2019
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tony Evers uses his vast veto power to raise school spending another $65 million, wipe out Tesla provision, July 3, 2019
First budget includes that amount. It's now the Legislature's turn
Increase school funding by $1.4B over two years in first budget
While still serving as the state schools superintendent in September 2018, Tony Evers submitted a budget that sought a $1.4 billion increase in school funding. On the gubernatorial campaign trail he pledged to make that a reality when he became governor.
Evers' first budget stuck with that number. He seeks to increase K-12 spending by $1.4 billion in the 2019-'21 budget — a 10 percent increase in funding for the state Department of Public Instruction.
But the budget battle is just beginning, with Republicans vowing to throw out the governor's budget and write their own.
For now, we rate this promise In the Works.
Our Sources
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tony Evers seeks to overhaul the state's school funding formula to account for poverty, Feb. 28, 2019
Email exchange with Melissa Baldauff, spokeswoman for Gov. Tony Evers, April 15-16, 2019