MADISON, Wis. – In the April 7 elections across Wisconsin, local taxpayers and students were again paying the costs for a lazy, Republican-led state legislature that has refused to do their job and fully fund the state share of our K-12 public schools.
With mixed results on the school referendums held in more than 70 districts across the state, voters approved raising their own taxes to support their schools in some, while failed referendums in other districts will mean schools have to make cuts to programs, staff, and building safety repairs to make up for shortfalls in funding.
“Wisconsin’s nationally ranked public schools shouldn’t have to rely on referendums to keep the lights on and make sure kids can continue learning,” said Lucy Ripp, communications director at A Better Wisconsin Together. “Especially when our Republican-controlled legislature is sitting on a $2.5 billion budget surplus.”
According to the Wisconsin State Constitution, every child is guaranteed an opportunity for a basic education and the state is required to help provide for public schools. Ripp noted that Republicans have imperiled this constitutional guarantee of a public education so badly that a lawsuit has now been filed to try to force the GOP to finally meet this basic responsibility.
“Wisconsin Republicans have the means and opportunity to fix this, but instead are taking advantage of Wisconsinites and our unwavering support for public education,” said Ripp.
Call your state legislator today at 1-800-362-9472 and remind them that high quality education for our kids or lower property taxes isn’t a choice Wisconsinites should have to make.
