(The Center Square) – A Wisconsin Assembly committee is expected to vote Tuesday on a bill that will cap tuition increases in the University of Wisconsin system at the rate of inflation.
The bill comes after three straight years of tuition increases that followed a resident tuition freeze between 2013 and 2023.
The bill moved through the Senate Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges with a 3-2 vote in October but has not yet been scheduled for the full Senate. The Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection will vote on the bill after a Jan. 29 public hearing.
A 1% increase in resident undergraduate tuition is estimated to be worth $9.7 million systemwide while a 2.93% increase would be worth $28.5 million.
“With the continued rise of prices in almost every area of the economy, some increase in resident tuition is to be expected,” Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, wrote in testimony supporting the bill. “It should be noted that Rep. Murphy and I have introduced this legislation going back to when the tuition freeze was still in effect and supported by elected officials in both parties, a point at which UW backers were thanking us for bringing this forward as a measured and responsible proposal.”
The University of Wisconsin argued that flexibility in tuition is necessary with specialized majors requiring different equipment and staff and costs can rise more in one specialty than another.
“The bill risks undermining the financial foundation for essential operational functions, including facility maintenance, debt service obligations, and competitive faculty compensation,” Universities of Wisconsin Vice President for Finance and Administration Julie Gordon wrote. “Maintaining flexibility in tuition-setting is critical to ensuring the Universities of Wisconsin can continue to deliver high-quality education, remain responsive to workforce needs, and preserve affordability and access for students across the state.”
Jacque, however, believes that protecting the costs for in-state students should be the highest priority.
“It’s time to prioritize students over bureaucracy,” Jacque wrote. “A statutory cap on future tuition and fee increases linked to inflation will provide students and families the ability to plan ahead with confidence for college expenses without continuing to be used to backfill budget decisions that avoid limiting runaway administrative spending.”
The bill would have to be passed in both the Senate and Assembly before going to Gov. Tony Evers for approval.
Evers recently told the Daily Cardinal that he was “somewhat reluctant” to have a cap but it is a “possibility.”
“It’s not that I’m interested in having people going broke because they’re sending their kids to college, nor am I thinking that capping is the answer,” Evers told the outlet.

(The Center Square) – Milwaukee’s fire chief says it is long past time the state requires sprinklers in every apartment building in Wisconsin.
Fire Chief Aaron Lipski has been pushing for an updated state law for months. Wisconsin currently requires all buildings built after 1974 to have sprinklers, but all buildings before are grandfathered in. He wants to change that.
There is a plan at the statehouse from Milwaukee Democrats to allow local governments in Wisconsin to set their own rules. But that legislation is stalled and likely won’t get a hearing this spring.
“Am I optimistic that ends up in some big victory? I’d be lying if I said I am. I’m not optimistic about it, but we have to keep the conversation going,” the chief said on UpFront.
The biggest roadblock to a new sprinkler requirement is the cost. Republican lawmakers say it would simply cost too much to require building owners to retrofit every building in the state with sprinklers. Those costs, lawmakers say, would then be passed on to renters through higher rents.
Lipski said, however, that focusing on the costs of sprinklers ignores the cost of not having them.
“Why is it that fire suppression and fire safety takes a backseat to all the other concerns all the time? Why is it that us attempting to just have a conversation about this is met with vociferous opposition from the most powerful man in our state government? How is that possible?” Lipski asked.
Lipski’s comments came as Milwaukee firefighters dealt with another fire in another building that the chief said didn’t have sprinklers.
Firefighters rescued eight people from an apartment fire Sunday morning. The fire broke out around 5:30 am at an apartment building near 77th Street and Green Tree Road. The chief said the fire started in a shared hallway near the front door, which blocked people from getting out.
“At 5:30am today, @MilFireDept responded to fire in a multi-family dwelling, this one in the 6600 block of N 77th. 8 civilians rescued (including 2 infants), 7 via ladders and 1 interior; 2 additional with broken legs from jumping. NO SPRINKLERS,” the chief wrote on X.
Lipski said that the fire happened just hours before his taped interview on UpFront about the sprinkler requirement was “unreal timing.”

(The Center Square) – There is a push at the Wisconsin Capitol to require more black history lessons in the state’s schools.
A number of Black lawmakers recently introduced what they are calling the African American History Education Act.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that Wisconsin students of all backgrounds learn the history and contributions of African Americans throughout our history. This country may not exist as we know it today without these contributions. Not only must we preserve our own history, but we must also recontextualize and reaffirm that African American History is American History. This history was paved with suffering and hardships, and the African American community has always persevered – exhibiting hard-work, creativity and activism,” Rep. Kalan Haywood, D-Milwaukee, said.
It’s not clear from the legislation just what would be taught under the new plan, or how it would be different from what’s currently taught.
State Sen. Dora Drake, D-Milwaukee, said wants to make sure all Wisconsin kids know about the history and stories of African Americans.
“African American History is not a separate narrative, but an integral thread woven into the fabric of our nation’s story. A full understanding of American history requires that students see the struggles, triumphs, and lasting impacts African Americans have had on our communities and nation. Our resilience, innovation, and leadership should not be limited to brief glances of the impacts of slavery and Martin Luther King’s, ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Our stories deserve more than a cursory glance during Black History Month and should be treated as a core foundation of the American story,” Drake said.
In addition to requiring new lessons, the proposal would deny a teaching license to new teachers who have not “received instruction” on African American history. It also sets aside nearly $400,000 for the effort.
This is not the first time Black lawmakers in Madison have proposed this idea. A similar plan in 2021 failed to get enough support to make it through the legislature and get to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk.

(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage is set to take up a pair of bills Tuesday that will determine the immediate future of the state’s Knowles-Nelson stewardship program that has paid for upkeep and buying of public lands in the state.
The Assembly recently passed a pair of amended bills that would fund the next two years of the program but Charles Carlin of Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts pointed out that the bills include “virtually no funding for land acquisition.”
Assembly Bills 315 and 612 have already seen various forms, but the amended version passed by the body on a party line vote set aside $1 million for land acquisition, down from $16 million, which can only be used for the Department of Natural Resources to acquire land for the Ice Age Trail.
Assembly Bill 315 also set aside $9.25 million for property development and local assistance, down from $14.25 million.
Assembly Bill 612, meanwhile, creates appropriations from the state forestry account of $7.75 million for property development and grants, of which $1 million must be set aside for friends groups and non-profit conservation organization activities on DNR property, along with $4 million for local assistance grants and $3 million for wildlife habitat restoration to non-profit conservation organizations.
Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewac, called the bill passage a step forward. But it is unclear if and what changes could occur as the bill reaches Senate committee.
“It’s not perfect, but I believe this is a good compromise that will protect all of the important aspects of the program, boost support for maintaining what we already own, ensure access for hunters, anglers and everyone who enjoys spending time in Wisconsin’s beautiful outdoors,” Kurtz said in a statement.
The bills come after the program was in jeopardy following a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling from July 2024 said the Legislature can’t block conservation requests from Gov. Tony Evers. Evers claimed that the Joint Committee on Finance was unconstitutionally and unlawfully blocking his requests through the program.
In a recent letter to lawmakers, Evers said he was disappointed the program wasn’t reauthorized during the budget process and instead it is relying on legislation and an appropriation afterward.
“I would be glad to sign any reauthorization proposal that appropriately supports both land acquisition and property management of Wisconsin’s valuable natural resources and public lands to secure the future of this program that is so fundamental to Wisconsin’s proud and cherished tradition of conservation,” Evers wrote.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin has now collected $567 million more this fiscal year in general purpose taxes than it did a year ago from Wisconsin residents.
December adjusted collections were nearly $200 million more than a year before, a 9.4% increase in collections, according to numbers released Thursday afternoon from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Those increased collections are the reason that Wisconsin’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau recently adjusted its estimates to say that the state is likely with finish its current budget cycle with $2.3 billion of surplus.
Lawmakers continue to debate whether that additional surplus from taxes should be spent or returned to taxpayers in the form of tax rate decreases for the state’s next budget.
The adjusted December numbers showed a 7.7% increase in state income taxes year over year and a 2.2% increase in sales and use taxes. The income tax increases amounted to more than $71 million in additional tax collections compared to the year before.
Corporate tax collections rose by 25.1% in December year over year, meaning the state collected $121.6 million more in corporate taxes for the month.
Sales and use tax collections are now up 4.4% for the fiscal year while individual income tax collections are up an adjusted 6.8% and corporate tax collections are up 10.1%.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin lawmakers are looking to keep foreign money out of statewide constitutional amendments and other referendum topics.
Both legislative Democrats and Republicans have similar bills that, in response to a Federal Election Commission enforcement decision that candidates cannot accept contributions from foreign nationals but referendum committees can, would outlaw the process in the state.
But the Republican version, Assembly Bill 906, goes further and requires a referendum to get written affirmation that the donor is not a foreign national and that the donating committee has not “intentionally accepted funds aggregating in excess of $100,000 from one or more foreign nationals during the four-year period immediately preceding the date of the contribution.”
The Republican version also requires that the referendum committee confirms that its preliminary activity was not funded directly or indirectly by a foreign national.
“That decision sent a clear message nationwide: unless a state acts, foreign nationals may be able to legally spend money to influence ballot measures, even when those measures directly shape state policy,” Rep. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, wrote in testimony on the bill. “That gap creates a real vulnerability for Wisconsin, especially as we approach the 2026 election cycle, when voters are expected to consider multiple constitutional amendment proposals.”
Both bills received a public hearing in the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections this week.
“This is not about changing policy outcomes or favoring one side of an issue,” wrote Rep. Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit. “It is about ensuring that decisions made directly by Wisconsin voters are influenced only by the people who live here and are affected by those outcomes. Closing this loophole helps protect the integrity of our elections and reinforces public confidence in the referendum process.”
Wisconsin legislators have pushed constitutional amendments related to partial vetoes from the governor, rulemaking, preferential treatment and closing gatherings of worship during declared emergencies.

(The Center Square) – Tom Tiffany says President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the race for Wisconsin governor fixes the focus on November.
Tiffany, who picked-up the president’s endorsement Tuesday, said Thursday the president’s support allows him and other Wisconsin Republicans to focus on beating the Democrats this fall.
“What I am hopeful now is that people will coalesce,” Tiffany said in an interview on News Talk 1130 WISN. “From the very start, we have been focused on November of 2026. Because it doesn’t matter if we don’t win in November 2026. Winning a primary is just a pyrrhic victory. We have to win in November.”
Trump on Tuesday said on social media, “Tom Tiffany has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Wisconsin — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”
“All I know is the president loves Wisconsin,” Tiffany added. “He asks about our state. He loves everything about it. He’s done rallies in all corners of the state of Wisconsin. And he truly does care for the state of Wisconsin.”
Tiffany said he’d love to see Trump campaign alongside him in Wisconsin later this year.
Trump’s endorsement instantly shrank the governor’s race. Republican Josh Schoemann on Wednesday dropped out after Trump endorsed Tiffany.
“I want to congratulate Congressman Tiffany and his supporters for receiving President Trump’s endorsement. I wish Tom great success in November. If we focus on the people of Wisconsin rather than fighting with one another, we can make Wisconsin the place to be, not just be from. I am proud of the campaign we ran and want to give my sincere thanks to my family and supporters who believe in our message,” Schoemann said in a statement. “Our fight to reclaim Wisconsin will go on.”
“I want to thank Josh Schoemann for the kind words that he shared,” Tiffany said. “I share some of the things, the same values that he has. He talks about reclaiming Wisconsin and ‘let’s make Wisconsin a place to be, not be from’ because I hear that from people all over the state also. I think Josh’s message is very much spot on.”
Tiffany will face the winner of a seven-person Democratic primary in November.

(The Center Square) – Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann dropped out of the Republican race for Wisconsin governor on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump endorsed Congressman Tom Tiffany in the race.
“I want to congratulate Congressman Tiffany and his supporters for receiving President Trump’s endorsement,” Schoemann wrote on social media. “I wish Tom great success in November.”
Schoemann went on to say he was proud of the campaign he ran and appreciates his supporters.
Second-term Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is not term-limited. He said in July he would not make a third run.
Tiffany now has a clear path to the Republican nomination in the race, where he will face one of a large group of Democrats in the race, including Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
“I appreciate Josh’s kind words and wish him the very best,” Tiffany said in a statement. “We are both committed to making Wisconsin the place to be. As governor, I will ensure seniors, young families, and the next generation can afford to stay here by lowering property taxes and utility rates, cutting red tape to reduce housing costs, and delivering honest government and strong schools for every Wisconsinite.”
Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday night that he was endorsing Tiffany in the race and later endorsed Michael Alfonso, the 25-year-old son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in the race for Tiffany’s seat. Alfonso is running against conservative attorney Paul Wassgren and conservative Jessi Ebben.

(The Center Square) – Several blue states appear set to lose electoral college votes while red states will make sweeping gains, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau announced a significant decrease in U.S. population growth, largely due to less international immigration.
However, analysis of the census data revealed several noteworthy takeaways in domestic migration trends that could affect electoral college and congressional makeup.
Electoral votes are allocated to states based on the Census. Each state is allocated a number of electoral votes based on the number of U.S. Senators and Representatives in that state.
The District of Columbia is allocated three electors in the Electoral College.
The American Redistricting Project estimated Texas would gain four seats in 2030 based on recent Census data and Florida would gain two seats. On the other end, California is projected to lose 4 seats.
North Carolina, Georgia, Idaho, Utah and Arizona would gain one additional seat respectively. However, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Oregon would lose one seat, respectively.
Democrat leaders expressed concern over these new projections and criticized mid-decade redistricting efforts across the country. John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, called on Democrats to respond to redistricting efforts.
“Republicans have enacted mid-decade gerrymanders in states like Texas and North Carolina by drawing maps that aim to further silence the very communities driving the most population growth,” Bisognano said.
Jonathan Cervas, a redistricting forecaster at Carnegie Mellon University, shared similar predictions as the American Redistricting Project. However, Cervas predicted Florida would gain four seats instead of two and New York would lose two seats instead of one.
David Hogg, a former leader in the Democratic National Committee, called on Democrats to build support in the South to counter reapportionment.
“If we don’t start building infrastructure in the South and start winning states like Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida, we can kiss goodbye any chance of winning the White House in the 2030s,” Hogg said.

(The Center Square) – A bill that will require each Wisconsin school district to define appropriate communication between staff and students has passed an Assembly committee and had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Education on Wednesday.
The amended bill will require school districts to adopt a policy by Sept. 1 that includes punishments, up to firing, for those employees and volunteers who violate the policy in their official capacity.
“Importantly, this bill preserves local control,” Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, wrote in testimony on the bill. “It does not mandate a one-size-fits-all policy. Instead, it allows each school district to determine what communication standards work best for its community, while requiring that districts establish clear expectations for appropriate staff student communications during and outside of school hours.”
The bill is part of a group of laws in a push by Nedweski and other legislators to root out inappropriate conduct between staff and students that includes a grooming law that was also heard in the Senate committee on Wednesday.
Nedweski cited a Kenosha grooming case of teacher Christian Enwright that led to 12 misdemeanors and sentence of 450 days in jail and three years of probation.
During that case, Nedweski said prosecutors were looking for an enhanced charge and she began working to create a specific grooming law. The legislation was then introduced soon after a series of investigative stories from The Capital Times highlighted how state Department of Public Instruction investigations into 200 cases of sexual misconduct and grooming in Wisconsin schools had been concealed.
Nedweski also cited a more recent case of a Kenosha middle school teacher placed on leave and then fired after he was found to be sending SnapChat messages to a high school student including messages like “damn u cute!” and “aww so pretty.”
Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction testified in support of the legislation and crafted sample policies for school districts.
“The goal of the current board policies, and of AB 678, is to prohibit private electronic communication with students using personal devices or non-district platforms, with extremely limited exceptions,” DPI Deputy State Supt. of Operations Tom McCarthy said in testimony. “That goal must be balanced with the need for teachers and school staff to maintain open communication with both students and parents. To address this dichotomy, states have begun to regulate digital communication more directly, in some cases requiring traceable communication systems, parental inclusion in most electronic messages, or centralized platforms for school communication.”
The amended bill requires annual training for staff and notification of the requirements.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s population saw a slight uptick by 0.26% in new U.S. Census estimates for July 1, 2025, as state population estimates have shown the state is now likely to recede in population.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Wisconsin had 5,972,787 residents as of July 1, but school enrollment and employment data has shown an aging state population has begun to diminish the workforce, and the state’s public K-12 student population has declined and will continue to by an estimated 10,000 students each year.
Overall, the Census numbers showed that the U.S. population grew by 1.8 million after 2024’s high of 3.2 million additional people.
The population trend change led Jonathan Cervas of Carnegie Mellon University to project that Wisconsin will lose one seat in the U.S. House after the 2030 Census.
#NEW: 2030 Apportionment Forecast based on 2025 Census Bureau Population Estimates (January 27, 2026).Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University pic.twitter.com/DACPg0Nldf— The Redistrict Network (@RedistrictNet) January 27, 2026
Wisconsin leaders have been discussing and working on solutions for the population challenges as the state’s population is projected to drop to 5.71 million by 2050, according to the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Wisconsin had a consistent total of nearly 1.1 million children under 15 until the past 15 years, when those numbers began to drop. The total went down 41,000 between 2010 and 2020 and then dropped by 49,000 over the past three years.
“It’s hard to grow an economy with a declining workforce,” Forward Analytics Director Dale Knapp said at the Wisconsin Counties Association meeting in late 2024. “That doesn’t mean we can’t be a prosperous state. But we’re going to become a shrinking portion of the national economy if this continues.”

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s school choice program is growing as Department of Public Instruction began open enrollment for the state’s choice programs.
“There are 417 private schools and school systems registered to participate in the Private School Choice Programs for the 2026-27 school year,” DPI said in an announcement.
There are “377 private schools and school systems” in the statewide, Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. There are another 141 private schools in Milwaukee’s Parental Choice Program, and 40 private schools that are part of the Racine Parental Choice Program.
That’s an increase from last year when DPI said there were 406 private schools participating in Wisconsin’s school choice programs.
There will also likely be more choice students.
Wisconsin saw a record number of choice students in the 2025-2026 school year. School Choice Wisconsin said choice enrollment hit a new record high of 60,972 students this year.
“Parents are speaking loudly and clearly about what they want for their children: more educational options different than those offered by public schools,” School Choice Wisconsin Vice President Carol Shires said in October.
The public won’t know how many choice students there will be next year until after the 2026-2027 school year begins in September.
Wisconsin is also expanding income thresholds for school choice in the new school year.
For Milwaukee and Racine’s program, families of four can earn up to $96,450 per year. For the statewide Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, families of four can earn up to $70,730.
Parents have until Monday to apply to take part in one of Wisconsin’s school choice programs.

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor Tuesday night.
Tiffany, a congressman, is a leader on the Republican side of the race with Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann and Andy Manske already in the race and a wide-ranging Democratic race including Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Rep. Francesca Hong and Milwaukee County executive David Crowley.
“I endorsed Tom for Congress early and strong, and he won, BIG,” Trump wrote on social media. “Likewise, he has always been at my side. A very successful Businessman, Family Farmer, and State Legislator, prior to becoming a distinguished United States Congressman, Tom is a Proven Leader who has dedicated his life to serving his Community.
“As your next Governor, Tom will continue to work tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity, Advocate for the Working Men and Women of Wisconsin, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Trump then endorsed Michael Alfonso, the 25-year-old son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in the race for Tiffany’s seat. Alfonso is running against conservative attorney Paul Wassgren and conservative Jessi Ebben.
“It is my greatest honor to accept this endorsement from President Donald J. Trump,” Alfonso wrote on social media. “He is truly the greatest president of all time, and I pledge to be a steadfast MAGA warrior for the people of Wisconsin’s 7th District.”
It is my greatest honor to accept this endorsement from President Donald J. Trump. He is truly the greatest president of all time, and I pledge to be a steadfast MAGA warrior for the people of Wisconsin’s 7th District🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7KspoW6U8P— Michael Alfonso (@MikeAlfonsoWI) January 28, 2026
Tiffany also thanked Trump for the support.
“”I’m grateful for the overwhelming support we have received since launching this campaign, and I’m especially honored to earn President Trump’s endorsement,” Tiffany said in a statement. “Just one year into his second term, wages are rising, gas prices are down, our economy is growing, and our border is secure.
“For seven years, Democrat leadership has pushed our state in the wrong direction. As governor, I will make Wisconsin great again by lowering utility rates and property taxes, cutting burdensome red tape, rooting out waste and fraud, and restoring common-sense leadership to Madison.”

(The Center Square) – A group of Wisconsin lawmakers are proposing two ways to change rulemaking in the state after lawmakers’ ability to review and approve rules was taken away following a state Supreme Court ruling last year.
Rep. Brent Jacobson, R – Mosinee, was the chair of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ Task Force on Rulemaking and on Tuesday announced the proposals, which included a constitutional amendment to either temporarily or permanently suspend administrative rules by passing a joint resolution and a bill that would repeal state agencies’ authority to create rules or regulations interpreting statutes.
“The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision in Evers v. Marklein II stripped the Legislature of any meaningful way to oversee the rules and regulations passed by state bureaucrats,” Jacobson said in a statement. “In three public hearings across Wisconsin, we listened to testimony from farmers, builders, taxpayers, and other stakeholders.
“Not one of them was comfortable with their elected representatives having no voice in the rulemaking process. The bills that I introduced this morning will restore checks and balances over our state agencies, and ensure that state regulators are accountable to the people of our state.”
Constitutional amendments must pass consecutive legislatures before going on a statewide ballot for approval while bills must pass both the Senate and Assembly before being signed into law by the governor.
Gov. Tony Evers last year challenged legislative oversight of rulemaking, winning a case and then directing state agencies to create rules and then send them to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication without those rules being first submitted to a committee.
Evers’ process was questioned by legislative leaders, with Vos calling it “outside the law” and led to the task force, which held public hearings before introducing the proposed changes.

(The Center Square) – The latest conversation about rising property taxes in Wisconsin has nothing to do with Gov. Tony Evers’ 400-year veto.
The Institute for Reforming Government has accused the Wisconsin Association of School Boards of refusing to lower property taxes by voting against the latest decoupling plan at the state capitol.
“School board members from across the state met in Milwaukee this week and officially agreed to advocate against decoupling school choice funding,” IRG said in a statement.
Decoupling would separate state support for choice schools and traditional public schools. In addition to making it easier to track which school gets what, IRG said decoupling could lower property taxes.
“Instead of separating district and choice, the state deducts state funding from your local district for choice students. District students do not lose a single dollar, but your district makes up the difference by raising property taxes,” IRG said. “Proponents say Wisconsin should ‘decouple.’ Districts could lower their property taxes. [And] Families could choose schools that best fit them, supported by the state.”
The WASB didn’t offer any explanation for its opposition to decoupling. The official resolution on the question is locked behind a members-only firewall. But as recently as 2004, there was some support for decoupling among WASB members.
IRG accused the Association of School Boards of “pitting” Wisconsin schools against each other.
“Why would they do this? First, members argue it makes voucher funding transparent. Of course, you can easily see exactly how much choice funding is right now, a fraction of the ~$16 billion Wisconsin spends on education. Second, members argue it uses limited state aid,” IRG added in a statement. “Sadly, Wisconsin’s declining youth population – the fewest publicly funded students since 1996 – has made it easier, not harder, to pay for schools. Third, members argue for higher property taxes to remind voters they are paying for choice schools.”

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin lawmakers are looking to add requirements for what the Department of Public Instruction posts online regarding investigations into K-12 teacher license holders.
The potential change follows a report last year showing the department does not publicly disclose details on sexual misconduct and grooming cases.
Assembly Bill 795 and companion Senate Bill 785 would require DPI to post the name of any license holder that is under investigation and the outcome of the investigation, including if the investigation was terminated due to a voluntary surrender of the license.
DPI currently posts each license holder who is under investigation and the name of each person whose license is revoked after an investigation.
The bill comes in response to a Capital Times investigation last year that showed DPI was shielding information on how it handled 200 cases of sexual misconduct and grooming between 2018 and 2023 and was forcing the public to file public records requests to access that information.
The bill would require that information to be posted online in a database easily accessible by the general public.
A public hearing is scheduled on the bill in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. A hearing was in the Assembly Committee on Education a week earlier.
“By requiring DPI to post not only the names of license holders but also the results of investigations, AB 795 addresses this lack of transparency and strengthens the ability of families and school leaders to make informed decisions regarding the safety of students in their care,” bill sponsor Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Omro, said in testimony on the bill.
DPI officials said in testimony that the bill could potentially create issues in fairness for educators who are incorrectly accused and issues related to prior agreements made when educators forfeited their licenses in written agreements with DPI.
“Most critically, the department’s prior surrender agreements with applicants do not disclose the level of reporting outlined in AB 795,” DPI testified. “We are concerned that prior educators who surrendered a license could challenge the surrender agreement and return to the classroom if the agreement is invalidated. The department knows this is not the purpose of this proposal.
“Additionally, posting the names of educators under investigation, before findings are made, can create long-term reputational damage even if allegations are unsubstantiated or an investigation is closed with no action. This could lead to legal challenges about fairness and accuracy of publicly listed allegations and discourage educators from entering the profession.”
Bill sponsors, however, believe that the bill is fair to teacher license holders while also making information on investigations publicly available.
“It gives parents, schools, and communities clear information, without taking away fair treatment from those under investigation,” Gustafson testified. “Having this information is crucial so families and school leaders can trust that the people working with their kids are held accountable and that misconduct doesn’t go unnoticed.”