Madison – Last night, Governor Evers signed the 2025-27 state budget. Representative Billings voted to pass the budget and released the following statement in response:
“Throughout this process, I have been focused on advocating for the best budget for my constituents. I and my Democratic colleagues have worked to prioritize keeping people safe, providing educational and economic opportunities, and passing a fiscally responsible budget that focuses on the needs of working families.”
“I am proud that Democrats used our seat at the negotiating table to fight for the inclusion of child care funding, increased reimbursements for special education, and improved higher education funding. I am also thrilled that after many years of delays, false starts, and disappointments, the Prairie Springs Phase II science center at UWL will finally be built.”
“This budget includes additional funds for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program, an increase in state reimbursement for special education, significant investment in the Environmental Improvement Program to address PFAS and other hazards to keep our water clean, critical funding for child care access and affordability, and funding to finally complete the Prairie Springs Phase II science center at UWL. With the help of legislative Democrats, instead of the original multi-million dollar cut to the UW system promoted by legislative Republicans, Wisconsin’s universities will now benefit from increased funding.”
“This budget is not perfect, but thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates, business leaders, organizers, legislative Democrats, and Wisconsinites across the state who raised their voices, it has improved dramatically in recent weeks. This budget is not what I and my Democratic colleagues in the Assembly would have written if we were in the majority, but this bipartisan compromise is a step in the right direction. Working families will get more support from this budget because legislative Democrats had a seat at the table, and the work does not end with this bill. Through the rest of this session, we will continue to fight for the best interests of Wisconsin families.”
