Let’s Get a Deal Done that Keeps Promised Special Education Rates and Provides General School Aid to Hold Down Property Taxes 

The State Capitol has been with ongoing conversations of an end of session deal that could see much of Wisconsin’s budget surplus spent.

With the governor and legislative leaders negotiating over the past two weeks on a compromise deal that would likely see property tax relief paired with some form of public school aid. Recent updates indicate a willingness to increase funding for special education reimbursement by $200 million, which would likely reach the promised reimbursement rates of 42/45 percent.

As for property tax relief, the legislature has proposed options such as putting surplus dollars into tax credits and rebates. However, there is another option that would hold down property taxes locally while addressing one of the biggest omissions in the 2025-27 state budget: no general school aid increase. Increasing school aids provides schools with more state funds while alleviating the reliance on local property taxes. It is a win-win and needs to be included in any deal to address property taxes.

While the priority to return the projected surplus to taxpayers is clear, both the method and the magnitude remain critical components of any final agreement. Legislative leaders have presented a proposal that allocates nearly the entire surplus, with the majority directed toward one-time tax rebates for filers and property tax relief through an expansion of the School Levy Tax Credit. This approach doubles down on the decision made in the current budget to provide no increase in general aid to schools, continuing a trend that shifts more of the responsibility for funding public education onto local property taxpayers.

With time running out on this legislative session, it is vital that the governor and legislature reach a deal that addresses the burdens facing Wisconsin schools and taxpayers. Please contact the governor and legislators and urge them to work together to reach a compromise that includes addressing the special education shortfall AND increase general aid to help schools and hold down property taxes.

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