Governor Walker signed a bill on July 19 to synchronize and simplify the state’s four parental choice programs in time for the upcoming school year.
The bill, now known as Act 36, passed the Legislature with overwhelming support from Republicans and a handful of Democrats who weren’t afraid to defy their party.
WCRIS organized support for the bill and brought several school leaders to the Capitol to testify, including incoming WCRIS Board President Dr. Chris Cody of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod-South Wisconsin District.
“We are grateful to all of the principals who responded to our action alert and contacted their legislators and to our friends at the American Federation for Children and School Choice Wisconsin who worked with legislators to pass this important bill,” said WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling.
The bill, which had bi-partisan sponsorship, includes 25 provisions, see descriptions here, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and improving accountability in the four programs.
The bill was supported by a coalition of choice supporters, including WCRIS, School Choice Wisconsin, the American Federation for Children, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference. The bill had additional support from the Department of Public Instruction.
