MADISON, WI – This week, alongside Representative Angelina Cruz, Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, and the entire Assembly Democratic Caucus, State Representative Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire) introduced as lead author a proposal to responsibly use the funds leftover from inadequate state budgets to pick up the tab for public schools and save Wisconsinites on property tax bills.

State Representative Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire) released the following statement:

“I am excited, and not surprised, that the Assembly Democratic caucus has fully united behind our proposal to keep property taxes down by picking up the state’s ‘unpaid bills’ for public school services in our communities. Speaker Vos and Assembly Republicans may have gaveled out, displaying a lack of willingness to work for the rest of the year, but we believe these priorities deserve bipartisan support and urgent action.

“Our proposal, LRB-6488, would:

  • Increase the state’s share of general school budgets, covering the total projected statewide increase in property taxes for schools in 2026 (source: Legislative Fiscal Bureau), and
  • Reimburse all school districts for 60% of their special education costs, up from the effective 35% reimbursement rate today, significantly reducing the need for property tax referendums

using about $1.3 billion of the existing $2.4 billion state surplus funds already at our disposal in Madison.

“By passing this proposal, our public schools would have more money to fund services for kids before needing to pursue property tax referendums. If we increase special education funding to 60%, as Governor Evers proposed in his budget last year, each school district in the 93rd Assembly District will see an increase in funding for school services, programs, and opportunities for kids:

Durand-Arkansaw School District – $538,922 increase

Eau Claire Area School District – $8,173,228 increase

Eleva-Strum School District – $258,399 increase

Elk Mound Area School District – $446,044 increase

Fall Creek School District – $234,078 increase

Menomonie Area School District – $1,817,275 increase

Mondovi School District – $477,782 increase

Osseo-Fairchild School District – $497,259 increase

“Our proposal also means the state would pick up a significant share of general school funding so property taxes would not go up to cover basic operations in public schools in 2026. The general aid increase in our proposal would go directly to classrooms – leaving Wisconsinites with more money in their pockets during property tax season without shortchanging our public schools.

“This so-called ‘surplus’ exists largely because the latest state budget offered a historic $0 in new general funds to public schools, leaving huge gaps Wisconsinites are now filling via property taxes. It’s time for the Legislature to pick up the tab and pay our unpaid bills, so Wisconsinites don’t have to pay twice.

“Our reasonable proposal would provide significant relief to pocketbooks and classrooms, and if further state funding priorities are taken up this year, this is the plan we should pass.”