Madison, WI- Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate met to vote on May 2026 Special Session Assembly Bill 1. This was a bipartisan agreement that was reached after months of negotiation between the Legislature and Governor Evers. Senate Democrats refused to work with their own Democrat Governor and the Republican Legislature and ultimately opposed returning $1.8 billion to taxpayers. Representative Jerry O’Connor (R-Fond du Lac) released the following statement:

“When you spend $17 at a store and hand the cashier a $20 bill, you expect your $3 in change back. Last night, after a 61-32 bipartisan vote in the Assembly, Senate Democrats decided taxpayers shouldn’t get their change back because they have a better idea of how to spend it eight months from now.”

“I voted ‘yes’ on the package not because it was perfect, but because governing in divided government requires working within the current dynamics, which includes a Democrat governor. The nature of negotiation and compromise is that no one walks away completely satisfied. The facts are that the state of Wisconsin is sitting on a surplus of over $2 billion in addition to a fully funded rainy-day fund. This is the case while we continue to hear that Wisconsinites are struggling to make ends meet, that hardworking individuals are working more overtime, and schools need additional funding for programs such as special education.

Instead of listening to Wisconsinites- Senate Democrats chose politics over people.”

May 2026 Special Session Assembly Bill 1 and its amendment would have sent $862 million back to taxpayers through rebate checks, created a $230 million permanent tax cut on tips and overtime, enacted a historic increase in special education reimbursement, delivered $300 million in property tax relief through school funding, tax relief to disabled veterans, and disaster relief to areas struggling after flooding this spring.

“After irresponsibly raising property taxes for the next 400 years, Wisconsin Democrats continue to double down and increase costs for hardworking Wisconsinites. This package would’ve delivered relief for the people of Fond du Lac who need it now.”

“I am thoroughly disappointed that instead of returning this money to the taxpayers, where it should be, the money will stay in Madison. This is not how a business functions, and this is not how government should function.”