OP-ED: Wisconsin Voters Approved Billions for Public Schools—Now It’s Time for State Lawmakers to Put Public Education Over Tax Breaks for the Wealthy

In the November 2024 election, Wisconsin voters approved more than $4 billion in public school referendums - meaning, Wisconsin taxpayers believe in their public schools enough that they raised their own taxes to help them succeed. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

person at a desk putting a coin into a piggy bank and paper cut out of a family
person at a desk putting a coin into a piggy bank and paper cut out of a family

In the November 2024 election, Wisconsin voters approved more than $4 billion in public school referendums – meaning, Wisconsin taxpayers believe in their public schools enough that they raised their own taxes to help them succeed.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Republican controlled state legislature is sitting on a multi-billion dollar budget surplus they could use to ensure our public schools have the funds they need to thrive while also lowering taxes for hardworking families.

Instead, GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other Republican legislators have repeatedly tried to take funds away from public schools and into the pockets of greedy donors with tax plans that would largely benefit the wealthiest few while average Wisconsin families and schools are left behind.

With a new legislative session and budget negotiations soon approaching, and key legislative seats picked up by progressives under Wisconsin’s new fair maps, the time is now for our state legislature to fund thriving public schools and tax cuts for the middle class and working families.

Call your legislator today at 1-800-436-9472 and demand they fund our local communities’ needs – and our priorities as voters – this legislative session and upcoming budget season.

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A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.

Eric Toney talking
Eric Toney talking

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Image related to Coincidence? Congressman Tom Tiffany Pledges Not to Raise Billionaires’ Taxes, Billionaires Funnel Money to Congressman Tom Tiffany’s Campaign
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Businessman sits near a heap money on a table
Businessman sits near a heap money on a table

Over $24.7 Million in MAGA Billionaire Cash Doled Out to Republican State Legislative Candidates, GOP Campaign Committees in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. – Newly filed campaign finance reports reveal that three MAGA billionaires have now spent more than $24.7 million in their efforts to buy a Republican state legislature in Wisconsin. According to state campaign finance reports, between January 2025 and September 2026 Illinois billionaires Dick and Elizabeth Uihlein and Wisconsin’s richest person Diane Hendricks […]