(Madison): The Wisconsin State Assembly approved the 2017-19 biennial state budget Wednesday. Representative John Jagler (R-Watertown) issued the following statement following passage:

“One thing I have always told my constituents is that they count on me to fight for education and that is just one of the many reasons I am proud to have voted for the budget proposal, which increases state aid to school districts by $639 million. That’s is the largest investment in K-12 education in our state’s history.

“We know that students are able to be more effective as students when they are healthy mentally. This is why we created two new aid programs related to student mental health to reimburse schools for mental health expenditures and to connect schools with area mental health providers. If they choose to continue on with education, they can attend a UW system where tuition remains frozen for another two years so our future workers aren’t starting their careers under a mountain of debt. We have also increased funding to the UW system by $34 million and made a significant investment in technical schools and worker training programs.

“This budget doesn’t increase income or sales taxes and keeps property taxes lower than they were in 2010. It also protects our most vulnerable by improving access to long-term care services, increasing investments in dementia care specialists, and continues funding for SeniorCare.

“I try to represent you in Madison by running our state’s budget as you run your own. Your family, no doubt, focuses on funding your priorities, paying your bills, planning for your future and protecting your family. This budget ends in a $200 million dollar surplus and keeps our rainy day fund at the largest level in state history.”