Contact: Rep. Sondy Pope
608-266-3520
MADISON, Wis. – Governor Tony Evers recently unveiled his state budget for the 2019-20 legislative session. The budget prioritizes issues that were most discussed at his listening sessions throughout the state during the past months. One of the main priorities of the Governor and the people of Wisconsin is to reinvest in our public schools. In response, Representative Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb), the ranking member on the Committee on Education released the following statement.
“Governor Evers has always said that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state. In his budget address he made clear his unwavering commitment to student success in Wisconsin. By reinvesting in our kids, the governor will not only produce better outcomes for our students but also provide relief to Wisconsin taxpayers who, over the last eight years of Republican control, voted to raise their own taxes to keep their local schools afloat. This was unsustainable and unacceptable.”
Some of the highlights of Governor Evers’ education budget include a restoration of the 2/3rds state funding commitment, a $600 million increase in special education funding (which had previously been held flat for over a decade), and increases in revenue limits and the low-revenue limit ceiling. This budget puts our schools back in focus for adequate resources.
“Among all the budget provisions that will improve the lives of Wisconsin citizens, the governor’s vision for improving schools and student achievement is paramount. Wisconsin’s future lies in the hands of the children in our schools today. It is my sincere hope that those elected officials who will be working through the budget in the coming days will put aside politics and hear the voices of the people.
