There’s an old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” For as long as I can remember, Wisconsin Democrats have claimed to be the pro-public education party. But, given the opportunity to act on those words last week, Democrats in the State Senate came up short. Early last week Governor Evers announced that he had reached a deal with Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu on how to spend the state’s budget surplus.
The bill would have sent tax rebate checks to all income tax filers (to the tune of $300 per taxpayer), provided hundreds of millions of dollars to schools to pay for special education (under the plan, Owen-Withee would have received $33,900 this year and $91,729 next year), lowered property taxes, and eliminated state income tax on overtime and tips. The bill, which passed in the Assembly 61-32, failed in the State Senate 15-18, as a result of every Democratic Senator and three Republican Senators voting against the bill. Legislative Democrats cited concerns over fiscal responsibility as their primary reason for voting no.
This should have been an easy layup for Democrats in Madison. They finally got a bill that would have funded special education at 50% for school districts, which is on the low end of what they’ve been asking for over the years. Because special education funding is categorical, it’s not subject to the revenue limits placed on school districts. School districts, which are required to fully fund special education, have already planned for that money to come out of the local budget. The money in this bill then, would have replaced that, allowing the districts to spend that money on needs elsewhere. At a time when school districts find themselves having to go to operating referendums at historically high rates, this was much needed money that districts could have used to help shore up shortfalls. Senate Democrats could have passed this bill and lived to fight another day, instead, they voted no and now districts have to fight to live another day.
In addition to the failure to support public schools and fund special education, Democrats failed to provide much-needed relief to Wisconsin families at a time of historically high inflation. I’m not sure Madison politicians understand how condescending it sounds when they dismiss the difference that $300 could make. Yes, it’s only a one-time payment and not a long-term fix, but between my wife and I, it could cover a month of groceries. Madison politicians sound out of touch with their constituents when they fail to realize how badly this money is needed by many.
These are two big talking points for Wisconsin Democrats: the cost of living and public education. So why vote against the bill? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t rooted in high-minded ideals, but rather in cynical gamesmanship. Democrats are hoping they can win elections in November and gain control over the surplus without having to compromise with their Republican colleagues. One imagines it will be harder for them to win elections now that they’ve established themselves as the party that is against tax rebates and special education funding. In fact, almost every Democrat running for Governor came out against the bill. That includes State Senator Kelda Roys, who was endorsed earlier this year by WEAC, the state teacher’s union. Only Missy Hughes, the former head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, supported the plan.
Wisconsin’s kids deserve better than all-or-nothing politics and a party that claims to support them but votes against them when given the option. But before you think this is some kind of endorsement of Tom Tiffany, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, he was also against the bill. In fact, he actively lobbied Republican Senators to vote against it. So where does that leave our school districts? Out in the cold once again, with promises of “if you elect us, we’ll support you.” But promises don’t put food on the table. It’s time that Madison Democrats start earning the votes of public education supporters rather than taking them for granted. Unfortunately, the other side, the Republican Party that gave us Act 10, a state funding model that leaves rural districts behind, and the school voucher system which ensures that your tax dollars are taken from your local district and given to private schools far away, is so much worse. Our kids deserve better, and we need to put pressure on those who want our votes to commit to doing better.