MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today released the following statement regarding the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision in Wisconsin State Legislature v. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:
“I will never apologize for fighting for our kids and our schools. Not today, not ever.
“Nearly $50 million to help improve our kids’ reading has sat unspent in Madison for two years because Republican lawmakers have refused to release it. I have spent those two years fighting tirelessly to get Republicans to release those funds, including suing to force them to do so.
“Twelve lawmakers should not be able to obstruct resources that were already approved by the full Legislature and the governor to help get our kids up to speed and ensure they have the skills they need to be successful. It is unconscionable that the Wisconsin Supreme Court is allowing the Legislature’s indefinite obstruction to go unchecked.
“Even so, a basic but fundamental responsibility of governors and executives is to dutifully comply with decisions of a court and the judiciary, even if—and, perhaps most importantly, when—we disagree. The rule of law in this country expects and demands it. I will accept the Court’s decision because I remain as faithful as ever to the oath I swore and the constitutional checks and balances I promised to protect and defend.
“Since the Wisconsin Supreme Court today declined to step in and end this indefinite obstruction, today I, again, urge Republicans to release the nearly $50 million investment to improve reading and literacy across our state—and to do so today before those resources expire at the end of this month. Failing to do so by that deadline would be reckless and irresponsible. Stop messing around with our kids and their futures and get it done.”
An online version of this release is available here.
