The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
It has been a privilege continuing to serve on the Joint Committee on Finance over the past several months, especially during one of the most intense and significant budget periods in recent history. On July 3rd, Governor Evers signed 2025 Act 15 (Wisconsin’s 2025-2027 biennial budget) into law. This was a budget with intense negotiations and compromises from both sides. But Legislative Republicans remained principled and ensured we delivered a budget with conservative wins for hardworking families. I also fought to secure important investments for our area.
Historic Tax Relief for Working Families and Seniors
The biggest victory in this budget is a $1.5 billion tax cut that will allow Wisconsinites to keep more of their hard-earned money. We expanded the second income tax bracket (4.40%), which means more of your income will now be taxed at a lower rate. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates that married-joint filers will save an average of $230, and individual filers will see an average savings of $143.
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For seniors aged 67 or older, we delivered long-overdue tax relief. For individual filers, the first $24,000 of retirement income will now be exempt from income tax, and the first $48,000 for married-joint filers. We also tripled the maximum adoption expense deduction from $5,000 to $15,000, and eliminated sales tax on residential energy bills. These targeted tax relief reforms will make a real difference for everyone struggling with the increases in inflation.
This is one of the largest tax relief measures Governor Evers has signed into law – thanks to Republicans remaining principled and persistent. It’s a win for taxpayers across Wisconsin.
Investing in Students, Not Bureaucracy
Education has always remained a top priority, but unlike Democrats who push for unchecked spending, we chose to make targeted investments that directly support students. One of the things I heard from constituents and school districts across the 39th Assembly District is to increase the special education reimbursement rate the State of Wisconsin reimburses for costs that school districts incur. We increased the special education reimbursement rate from around 30% to 45% in the second year of the biennium. By increasing the special education reimbursement rate, the State of Wisconsin is helping school districts alleviate costs for all students. This not only helps our public schools, but also helps our choice, charter, and private schools.
Additionally, we invested $37 million in literacy grants to ensure Wisconsin students can read at grade level and beyond.
Safer Roads and Stronger Communities
Everyone understands the importance of maintaining our roads. This budget includes an additional $100 million for the Local Roads Improvement Program and $150 million for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program – $100 million more than the Governor proposed. Counties, municipalities, and towns will also receive a 3% increase each year in general transportation aids to help fix our roads.
We did all of this while bonding less for roads than Governor Evers proposed – a fiscally responsible move.
Delivering for the 39th Assembly District
I am proud and honored to fight for the 39th Assembly District and make investments right here at home – especially in this budget:
$250,000 to reduce phosphorus in Green Lake, improving water quality for recreation
$100,000 to repair railroad bridges on County Highway A and Inglehart Road in Columbia County
A $5 million one-time grant – and $500,000 in additional ongoing funding – for the Boys and Girls Club. The Boys and Girls Club of the Tri-County Area has been an invaluable asset to youth in our community.
Four additional Assistant District Attorneys for Fond du Lac County
These targeted investments will strengthen our communities, support our youth, and protect our local environment. I am looking forward to seeing their impact.
I had one clear goal while working with my colleagues during this budget: deliver conservative wins and remain fiscally responsible while prioritizing strategic investments. We held the line on spending and passed a leaner budget despite rising costs, removed over 300 unnecessary bureaucratic positions, froze hiring at the University of Wisconsin System, and blocked a number of Governor Evers’ liberal proposals from becoming law.
I am honored to represent the 39th Assembly District, and will continue fighting for our values this legislative session.
– Dallman, R-Markesan, represents the 39th Assembly District. He is a member of the Joint Committee on Finance.
