MADISON – On March 14, State Representative Joan Fitzgerald (D-Fort Atkinson) joined fellow Assembly Democrats to introduce LRB-6488, a bill that would use $1.3 billion of the state’s surplus to significantly lower property taxes across the state, while also increasing general aid funding to Wisconsin public schools.
Rep. Fitzgerald released the following statement:
“Since my first day in office, my constituents have continued to raise concerns over the increase in their property taxes in recent years. Assembly Democrats understand these very real concerns and have proposed a plan that would deliver a practical solution to this issue while also addressing the financial concerns raised by school districts throughout the state.
“In my 33 years as a public school teacher, I saw firsthand the devastating impacts that decades of Republican underfunding has had on our schools. Both Wisconsin students – and Wisconsin taxpayers – have faced the consequences of that irresponsible inaction. Because of this underfunding, school districts have had no choice but to go to referendum after referendum. That stops now.
“Our proposal not only increases general aid to our state’s public schools, but it addresses the ongoing concerns surrounding the special education reimbursement rate. Even though Legislative Republicans promised a 42% reimbursement rate for special education costs for our public schools, they are falling short some 7% of that promise. This bill alleviates those costs by increasing the rate to 60% with existing surplus funds from the state.
“This is a common sense, fiscally responsible proposal that reduces property taxes and significantly reduces the need for districts to go to referendum.
“There is no reason that the hard-working taxpayers of our state should have to give up their hard-earned money because Republicans have refused to appropriately fund our schools. Let’s support our kids, and get your money back in your pockets.”
