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Evers makes moves to restore funding for schools to two-thirds levels
On the 2018 campaign trail, Gov. Tony Evers -- a former state schools superintendent -- promised to restore Wisconsin's budget to its former two-thirds state funding level for K-12 schools.
That level -- two-thirds of the total of state school aids and school property taxes -- was the standard from 1996 to 2004. That changed with the 2003-'05 budget under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. Under Republican Gov. Scott Walker, it never returned to two-thirds level.
Evers attempted to restore two-thirds funding in his 2019-'20 budget, but spending levels were a point of contention with the GOP-controlled Legislature.
In a 65-page veto message, Evers said he had considered vetoing the entire budget because he did not think Republicans allocated enough money for schools. Instead, Evers issued 78 vetoes, including increase school spending by $65 million more than Republicans approved.
That was still lower than the $1.4 billion for K-12 education Evers initially sought. In terms of the two-thirds measuring stick, the final budget for 2019-'21 came in at 65.3% in 2019-'20 and at 65.5% for the 2020-'21 school year.
Evers will try again to raise funding to two-thirds level with the 2021-'23 budget proposal.
The next step belongs to Republicans in the Legislature.
We rate this promise as In the Works.
Our Sources
PolitiFact Wisconsin, "Restore funding for schools to two-thirds level in 2019-2021 budget," July 9, 2019.
PolitiFact Wisconsin, "Tighten regulations on school's state voucher program, or end it entirely," Oct. 15, 2019.
PolitiFact Wisconsin, "Increase school funding by $1.4 billion over two years in first budget," July 5, 2019.
State of Wisconsin, "2021 Senate Bill 111."
Division of Executive Budget and Finance, Department of Administration, "State of Wisconsin Budget in Brief."
Christa Pugh (Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau). "Private School Choice and Special Needs Scholarship Programs," January 2021.
Patrick Marley and Molly Beck, "Tony Evers uses his vast veto power to raise school spending another $65 million, wipe out Tesla provision," July 3, 2019.
Annysa Johnson, "Cost of Wisconsin voucher programs nears $350 million as enrollment surges," Oct. 15, 2019.