Contact: Alec Zimmerman
(608) 257-4765
(608) 257-4765
WisGOP: In his own words: Evers once touted the same budget proposal he’s trying to hide from
[Madison, WI] — Tony Evers went full Mary Burke today and was caught plagiarizing major components of his most recent Department of Public Instruction budget request. His budget proposal pulled multiple sections directly from various sources without attribution, including Wikipedia and a blog written by an intern at a Washington think tank.
Evers’ misconduct is so much worse than Burke’s, however. The problem for Tony Evers? He should know better given what the Department of Public Instruction expects of students, and he repeatedly said that this is his budget.
Here is what Evers has said about his budget before his plagiarism came to light:
Evers’ 2018 State of Education Address:
“Now is the time to adopt a transformational education budget that responds to this call. A budget that give educators what they deserve: the resources they need to meet the needs of our kids. It’s quite simple. A budget that increases opportunities, close gaps, and allows for competitive compensation. The budget I proposed finally fixes our school finance system.”
Evers in 2019-21 DPI Biennial Budget Request:
“The budget I am releasing today responds to these challenges. It changes how we fund our schools and provides our educators the resources to meet the needs of every child.”
From the Journal Sentinel on Evers’ Budget Rollout:
“State schools superintendent Tony Evers is seeking $1.4 billion more — a 10% increase — in funding for Wisconsin schools as he challenges Gov. Scott Walker’s bid for a third term.…Evers’ plan comes as he is locked in a tight race with Walker, who has recently dubbed himself “the education governor” while he competes with the state schools chief. “
From the Capital Times on Evers’ Budget Rollout:
“The $15.4 billion request, submitted by Evers on Monday, comes less than two months before Walker and Evers will meet on the ballot — and Evers’ budget letter includes a swipe at the governor. ‘Wisconsin has a proud history and tradition of strong public schools. Our state’s education system — from early childhood through higher education — has served as the pathway to prosperity for generations of Wisconsinites and the key to a skilled workforce and strong economy,’ Evers wrote. ‘In recent years, however, historic cuts to education have impeded our progress.’”
