MADISON… After months of deliberation and negotiations with Governor Evers, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos issued the following statement:
“Today Legislative Republicans are proud to announce a package of bills that will provide historic investment into local governments and the Wisconsin School Choice program.” Leader LeMahieu said. “When these bills become law, every local government and school in the state will see a significant increase in available resources. Wisconsinites will benefit from better roads, increased school funding and enhanced public safety – including required investments from local governments in police, fire and EMS.”
“Republicans won the argument, and the bill guarantees that new state revenue may only be used for police, fire, and EMS services,” Speaker Vos continued; “and for the thousands of parents in the School Choice program who are worried about the ability of their child to continue receiving a fair education, we’re proud to say the program will grow, thrive and prosper.”
There are strict prohibitions on the use of funds for the Milwaukee sales tax funds, guaranteeing that they cannot spend on frivolous things such as street cars and woke diversity and equity initiatives. Instead, they will be required to use the money to defray the costs of their failing pension system and increase the number of police officers on the street keeping their community safe.” Vos concluded.
This final package of bills also includes a repeal of the personal property tax and new, spendable resources for public schools in excess of $1 billion. The public school increase includes a $325 per pupil increase in each of the next two fiscal years.
