Contact: Sen. Patty Schachtner (D – Somerset) (608)266-7745
MADISON, WI – Senator Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.
The audio file of this week’s address can be found here:
http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen16/schachtnerradio101818.mp3
A written transcript of the address is below:
“Hello, I am State Senator Patty Schachtner with this week’s Democratic radio address.
“Education is a Wisconsin priority, but it’s not always a priority down in Madison.
“Schools are still recovering from historic education cuts made in 2011. And despite recent increases, public school districts will receive less in state aid in 2019 than it did in 2011, after adjusting for inflation.
“In response to cuts, school districts have increasingly turned to referenda to help make up the gap, pushing state obligations on to local property taxpayers.
“Research shows that 2018 may be the highest year on record for referenda funding, surpassing a record set in 2016 – which broke the previous record amount in 2001.
“This November alone, Wisconsin voters will be asked for $1.4 billion to meet school district needs.
“When necessary referenda fail, it is our students and communities who suffer the consequences. Programs get cut. Schools close. Teachers become harder to retain.
“Schools are the heart of local communities. We need to fully fund our schools so that we can expand opportunities and compete in the 21st-century economy. Thank you.”
