Education Funding Until the Year 2425?
Gov. Evers signed the Republican-generated 2023-25 state budget in early July, but not without putting his powerful veto pen to work.
Most notably, he cleverly pieced together an increase in public school funding for the next 400 years by striking out words, a few numbers and a hyphen.
Public schools now have the authority to raise revenue by $325 per student per year until 2425. When calculated with current public school enrollment levels, it could result in over a $260 million increase per year, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Check out the governor’s wordsmithing here, which garnered national attention.
Voucher schools will also feel the impact of the governor’s creative partial veto since the revenue limit is part of the formulas used to calculate voucher amounts, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. It can be undone by a future legislature.
In total, the governor partially vetoed 51 items before signing the state budget, which also includes funds for addressing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in water sources; the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee; the 2025 National Football League (NFL) draft in Green Bay; pay increases for correctional officers, prosecutors and public defenders; and much more.
But it still leaves the state’s budget surplus largely untouched. Because of this, lawmakers have indicated that the Legislature may reconvene in the fall.
It’s currently unknown if they would only address the surplus and budgetary concerns during this uncharacteristic fall session or if it would be open to proposed legislation about any topic. Regardless, WCRIS will be monitoring – and representing our members during – whatever ensues.
Right to Read Rule-making Begins
Gov. Evers signed the Right to Read Act a few weeks ago, which promotes phonics instruction, prohibits the teaching strategy “3-cueing,” requires more interventions for struggling readers and sets up other reading regulations for grades K-3 in public, charter and choice schools.
Now that the initiative has been officially signed, the DPI can begin writing the rules to fulfill the law’s requirements.
In a recent meeting with the DPI, staff told WCRIS the department plans to tackle guidance for public and charter schools first, as they have more regulations, before moving onto rules for voucher schools. The process will likely take months. WCRIS will be monitoring it and will send any updates.
Read July’s special edition of Current Events about the Right to Read Act here.
