Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland
(608) 267-9649

MADISON – This evening, the Wisconsin State Assembly will pass the 2017-19 Budget, capping off the fourth Republican budget in a row that expands private voucher schools at the expense of our public schools, favors wealthy special interests over working families, and fails to invest in our crumbling transportation infrastructure.

In response, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement:

“A budget is about priorities. You can learn a lot about a person and what they value by what they choose to prioritize. With this budget, Republican legislators have made it clear where their values lie – with private voucher schools over public schools, with wealthy special interests over working families, and with even more transportation debt and delayed road projects.

“This budget is two and a half months late and a dollar short. It does not restore the Republican cuts to our universities or tackle student loan debt, nor does it invest what’s needed in our rural schools. It once again delays meaningful action on fixing our crumbling roads and bridges. The Republican budget instead slashes wages for construction workers and literally raises taxes on low-income families while giving more tax breaks to millionaires. It doesn’t get any clearer than that.

“As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to introduce proposals to invest in the priorities that matter to the people of Wisconsin – from clean water to strong universities, schools, and infrastructure. Unfortunately, Republicans were more concerned with rigging the budget for their campaign donors than they were in investing in working families. On all counts, this budget is about missed opportunities and misaligned priorities. That’s why I will be voting no.”

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