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Evers Rejects Wisconsin GOP Surplus Plan, Presses for More School Aid as Session Clock Winds Down

The governor says any agreement must include $450 million in general aid for K‑12 schools.

Overview

  • Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu jointly proposed a $2.3 billion package that uses the projected surplus for one‑time rebates and targeted tax relief, marking rare alignment between the GOP leaders.
  • The offer includes rebate checks of $1,000 for married joint filers and $500 for individuals, $500 million for the school levy tax credit, $200 million for special education reimbursements, and flood relief funding.
  • Gov. Tony Evers rejected the plan as presented, calling rebate checks “like buying votes,” saying they are short‑lived and costly to administer, and insisting on $450 million in ongoing general school aid not in the GOP proposal.
  • The Republican plan leaves Evers’ 2023 “400‑year” partial veto intact; Evers defended the veto in his State of the State address, while GOP leaders argue their approach delivers property tax relief without adding permanent aid.
  • Negotiations remain active as Assembly leaders aim to adjourn this week, with Republicans saying a deadline could hasten a deal and Evers signaling he will call special sessions if needed.