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July 27, 2021 Contact: WisDems Communications (press@wisdems.org) |
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DPW Statement on Republicans’ Refusal to Hold Special Session on Education Funding |
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Wisconsin Republican Lawmakers Decline to Invest Millions In UW System, Technical Education, Special Education, and More |
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MADISON, Wis. — Today, Wisconsin Republicans did absolutely nothing to help Wisconsinites. Lawmakers abruptly ended the special session of the legislature without considering Gov. Evers’ proposal to invest millions in Wisconsin’s kids, schools, and students, using funds already available through his budget vetoes. His proposal includes $440 million for K-12 schools, which includes $200 million for special education aides, and an additional $110 million for higher education.
Gov. Evers called for the special session yesterday after GOP lawmakers announced they would convene for the sole purpose of attempting to override the governor’s vetoes, a political stunt that is doomed to fail due to a lack of bipartisan support.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statement:
“Today, Wisconsin Republicans had the opportunity to heed Governor Evers’s call to invest in a better future for Wisconsin’s students, and build on the bipartisan success for education in the state’s budget. Instead, they brushed aside the governor’s education proposal and wasted the public’s time on petty, partisan politics. Governor Evers has tried to work with Republicans to help our state bounce back better from the pandemic, but at every turn, Republicans have refused. Apparently, they want to spite the governor more than they want to help our state.
“The start of the school year is rapidly approaching. Students, teachers, and families are still recovering from the pandemic, and with new variants emerging, we cannot allow our recovery to be threatened by underfunding education. This is the moment to use every resource at our disposal to support our students, because as Governor Evers always says, what’s best for our kids is best for our state.
“Thanks to Governor Evers’ leadership, Wisconsin will begin the fiscal year with a nearly $2.39 billion general fund surplus – the largest in state history. We have the resources, so when are Wisconsin Republicans going to end the partisan obstructionism and start working with Governor Evers to secure our children’s future?” |
