Madison – Representative Barbara Dittrich (R – Oconomowoc) expressed her disappointment with the failure of Senate Democrats to pass the bipartisan agreement to return $1.8 billion of Wisconsin’s budget surplus to taxpayers while also funding special education during Wednesday’s Special Session. This bill was the result of months-long negotiations between the Legislature and Governor Evers.
“After months of back-and-forth negotiations, I was thrilled to see the Legislature’s agreement with the Governor regarding Wisconsin’s surplus advance through the Assembly, but the Democrats in the Senate failed Wisconsinites by their insincere bargaining and vote against this important bipartisan relief,” stated Dittrich. “My vote in favor of the compromise legislation was in response to the call from my constituents to provide property tax relief, meet the obligation to provide funding for special education, and return the lion’s share of our budget surplus to those who were overcharged.”
May 2026 Special Session Assembly Bill 1 would have refunded over $860 million to full-time residents who pay income taxes in Wisconsin, provided more than $230 million for relief for workers making tips and overtime wages, and helped property taxpayers with $350 million more funds for the school aid formula and technical college levy. It also would have secured the largest single increase in special education reimbursements, with $85 million this year and $230 million in the next, doubling the rate of reimbursement since 2019. Amendments were also added to provide further tax-relief to disabled veterans and disaster relief to areas throughout the state struggling after flooding and other natural disasters.
“NO ONE gets 100% of what they want in this sort of package. There is definitely more work to be done, but the vast majority of these funds were to be returned directly to the taxpayers. It is more than disappointing that the self-interest of Democrats and a handful of Republicans failed all Wisconsinites by refusing to provide them much-needed relief, now leaving billions of dollars in overpayment sitting in Madison.”
