Madison: Major legislation dealing with shared revenue and school funding passed both houses of the state legislature yesterday with bi-partisan support. These two bills allocate a portion of the state’s sales tax to local governments, increase funding for public schools, eliminate the personal property tax, and improve the resources available for choice and charter schools. Senator Patrick Testin (Stevens Point) supported both bills.
“The passage of these bills will help make communities safer and schools stronger while eliminating a tax that hurts our small businesses,” noted Testin. “The legislature is showing its commitment to empowering parents with significant investments in both public and choice schools.”
Under the shared revenue bill, every city, village and town outside of Milwaukee will receive at least a 20% increase in funding. Some communities will receive significantly more. For instance, the Town of Knapp in Jackson County will see their share grow from $8,074 to $43,234 – a nearly 436% increase. Sixty-one municipalities in the 24th Senate District will see their shared revenue funding more than double. This money can be spent on police and fire protection, emergency medical services and communication, and public works and transportation.
The education bill ensures $ 1 billion in new resources for Wisconsin schools, and raises the revenue ceiling, which would benefit a number of public school districts, including those in Tomah, Wautoma, and Sparta. The bill also significantly bridges the gap between public schools and choice schools in per pupil funding, ensuring parents have options when it comes to their children’s education.
Both bills now go to Governor Evers, who is expected to sign them.
