Finance Republicans provide nearly $150M in new K-12 Spending

 

The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) met yesterday to make historic new investments in K-12 education spending. Following three federal appropriations bills in response to COVID-19, Wisconsin has received about $2.4 billion in federal aid for K-12 schools.


 

With that said, we felt it was important in this budget to make targeted increases towards the priorities we have heard back in our communities. Both of the school districts in my Assembly District have emphasized the importance of special education and mental health aids. We heard these requests loud and clear, which is why our K-12 education budget includes the following:

  • Increases Special Education Categorical Aids by $86 million to reimburse 30% of eligible costs. This brings our state’s investment in special education to its highest dollar amount ever!
  • Increases funding for High-Cost Special Education by nearly $4 million over the biennium to bring the reimbursement rate up to 40%.
  • Doubles Mental Health Categorical Aids by providing an additional $12 million for the program.
  • Provides $7 million for school-based mental health collaboration grants – a 54% increase, which meets the Governor’s proposal.
  • Increases funding for the Wisconsin Reading Corps (WRC) by $1.6 million over the biennium so they can continue their work in our community and expand to new school districts as well. WRC is doing great work closing the reading achievement gap!

 

 

We also made a $350 million transfer from our general fund to the Budget Stabilization Fund, which can be used in the future so that the one-time federal funds do not create a budget hole.

 

Overall, this is a responsible education budget that makes historic new investments and provides for the needs of our communities. I am proud to have supported it and am hopeful that Gov. Evers will support this K-12 budget as well.


Happy Birthday, Wisconsin!

Tomorrow is Wisconsin’s birthday! Happy 173rd birthday to our beautiful state.

 


Memorial Day

Monday is Memorial Day, and while many of us prepare to enjoy a long weekend, I’d like to take some time to honor and thank the brave members of the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.