Assembly Republican lawmakers held a press conference in the Assembly Chambers today (May 22) to announce their K-12 education budget. Several lawmakers including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Joint Finance Committee (JFC) co-chair Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette). Rep. Nygren announced a total increase of about $500 million (compared to $1.4 billion proposed by Gov. Evers).
Also announced as part of the proposal:
- Increases of $200 in the first year and $204 in the second per pupil in revenue limits (matching what the governor proposed);
- Increase of $50 million in special education categorical aid which would increase reimbursement rates to about 28% (governor proposed over $600 million to reach 60% reimbursement by the second year);
- Increase of $20 million for student mental health programs (governor’s proposal about $60 million);
- Fully funding high cost transportation with an increase of $4.6 million (matches DPI request, governor delayed the increase until the second year of the budget);
- Increase in the low revenue ceiling to $9,700 per pupil in the first year and to $10,000 per pupil in the second (matches the governor’s proposal).
Details were not available at the time of this writing. The Senate GOP Leader had recently made comments about his caucus’s support of increases in per pupil categorical aids rather than revenue limits, so there will still need to be agreements reached between the houses before tomorrow’s JFC vote.
JFC Democrats have announced they will argue for supporting the governor’s education proposal at tomorrow’s committee vote.
