K-12 school funding and property tax relief
Wisconsin leaders have negotiated bipartisan packages increasing general school aids and special education funding by hundreds of millions, on top of prior historic investments, partly to ease property tax pressures. A May 2026 surplus deal linking school spending and taxpayer relief failed. Candidates disagree on whether large new education investments or tax cuts better address school needs and taxpayer burdens heading into the 2026 election.
How should Wisconsin balance K-12 school funding with property tax relief?
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Sources
Gov. Tony Evers, Speaker Vos, and Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu — https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/416c387
an additional $300 million for general school aids for K-12 schools beginning in 2026-27, in addition to another over $300 million for special education funding. All told, the package provides over $600 million for Wisconsin K-12 schools on top of the already historic nearly $1.4 billion
David Crowley — https://fox11online.com/news/beyond-the-podium/know-your-candidates/david-crowley-tom-tiffany-in-depth-interviews-wisconsin-governor-race-affordability-budget-surplus-school-education-funding-taxes-data-centers
when it comes down to public education, we need to make those incredible investments, which will naturally ease the property tax pressures that so many taxpayers are facing all across Wisconsin.
Steven Walters / Urban Milwaukee — https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2026/08/10/the-state-of-politics-questions-for-wisconsins-next-governor
Would funding K-12 schools or controlling property taxes be your top priority for that surplus? Retiring Capitol leaders tried to send refund checks to taxpayers who paid income taxes and boost K-12 spending, but legislators from both parties killed that plan.
FOX 11 — https://fox11online.com/news/beyond-the-podium/know-your-candidates/david-crowley-tom-tiffany-in-depth-interviews-wisconsin-governor-race-affordability-budget-surplus-school-education-funding-taxes-data-centers
In May, a $1.8 billion deal to give taxpayers rebates and spend more on schools failed in the Senate.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Make large new permanent investments in public schools and special education even if property taxes stay higher
- Increase school aid substantially while using state funds to hold down local property taxes
- Maintain current school funding levels and provide modest property tax relief from surplus
- Limit new school spending growth and prioritize larger property tax cuts or rebates
- Cap or reduce school-related spending growth to maximize direct property and income tax cuts