Madison, WI – Today, Senate President Mary Felzkowski testified in the Senate Committee on Education in favor of legislation she authored to expand school choice and increase access to educational support tools in Wisconsin without using any taxpayer funds or adding a single new bureaucrat.
Established by the federal H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a new provision exists to provide a dollar-for-dollar, non-refundable tax credit for individuals who make charitable contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations. The credit begins in tax year 2027, and taxpayers can receive a credit up to $1,700.
For Wisconsinites who donate to Wisconsin scholarship-granting organizations to take advantage of the tax credit, the state must opt in. Otherwise, only donations to scholarship-granting organizations in states that have opted in would be eligible for the credit. Senator Felzkowski’s legislation opts Wisconsin into the program, ensuring that Wisconsin taxpayers and children can take full advantage of the program and its benefits.
Eligible scholarship-granting organizations provide a wide variety of services that support students, from tutoring and scholarships to educational extracurriculars and transportation costs.
Senator Felzkowski released the following statement:
“I’m thrilled that President Trump and Republican Congressional Leaders in Washington D.C. included this provision to give students more educational options and support tools without using taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Felzkowski. “It’s common sense, averts any potential government meddling, and allows Wisconsinites to directly contribute to the success of our students. I look forward to the Legislature passing this bill and hope that the Governor puts his money where his mouth in the spirit of ‘The Year of the Kid’ and reconsiders his pledge to veto the bill.”
