2025-2026 Legislative Session
Address Disparities in Opportunity and School Funding
Wisconsin continues to face deep racial disparities in poverty and education. About one-third of Black children live in high-poverty neighborhoods, compared to just 1 percent of white children and 12 percent of Latino children. These gaps carry into the classroom, where 94 percent of white students graduate on time, but only 71 percent of Black students do—the widest graduation gap in the nation. At the same time, the number of English learner students has nearly doubled since 2000, while funding for bilingual-bicultural programs has remained nearly flat, leaving districts to meet rising needs with limited resources.
Increase mental health support
Wisconsin youth are reporting record levels of mental health struggles. Nearly one in five adolescents experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, and about one in nine young adults seriously considered suicide. Among high school students, more than half reported high levels of anxiety, over one-third showed signs of depression, and 18 percent said they seriously considered suicide, which is the highest rate in at least two decades. These numbers reflect an urgent need to expand access to mental health care and school-based support across the state.
2025-2027 Budget Policies & Their Outcomes
$167 million increase to expand access to school-based mental health services.
One of the most critical aspects of mental health services is having access to care when you need it the most. Outside of the home, school is the place that children spend the most time, and it is also where they are most likely to experience a mental health crisis. That is why Governor Evers made key investments to supply schools with the resources they need to meet kids where they are.
Outcome: The GOP reduced the investment by $137 million, resulting in only an additional $30 million allocated to schools for mental health services.
Over $1 billion increase in school aid
School funding formulas force districts to raise taxes to pay for classroom needs, while at the same time punishing students in low-income neighborhoods by limiting school funding based on the property value of a home. Public schools are supposed to be an equal opportunity for all, regardless of ZIP code, but Milwaukee has consistently been forced to do more with less. That's why Governor Evers proposed a historic $1 billion increase in school aid to ensure every child gets the education they need to succeed.
Outcome: The GOP removed all increases to school aid, marking the first budget in nearly two decades that included no increase.
Expand Student financial aid.
The cost of college is one of the most significant barriers for kids, especially first-generation students trying to further their education beyond that of their parents. With drastic cuts to financial aid and higher interest rates on student loans from the federal government, Wisconsin has an obligation to step up and ensure that our students can access the education they want to secure the jobs our state needs. That's why Governor Evers proposed an additional $128 million in student financial aid, so that everyone, regardless of your background, has the same chance to chase their dreams
Outcome: Eliminated by the GOP.