FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Rep. Gary Hebl, (608) 266-7678

(MADISON) –Governor Evers has announced a plan to freeze the expansion of private voucher schools in an effort to reduce property taxes and give Wisconsin a chance to evaluate the funding of two different educational systems in Wisconsin. Rep. Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie), a member of the Assembly Committee on Education, released the following statement:

The current trajectory of Wisconsin education appears increasingly untenable. We simply cannot afford to continue to fund two different educational systems in our state. Taking resources away from public education to finance private voucher schools that are not accountable to the people of Wisconsin is wasteful of tax dollars and will ultimately weaken education in our state.

Governor Evers is smart to recognize this. He understands that splitting funds between the two systems is unsustainable. Public education is the bedrock of society, and continuing to funnel money to unaccountable charter schools will harm education in Wisconsin.

We have seen over the past eight years a huge slash in education funding. For example, in his first budget alone, former Governor Scott Walker reduced education funding by $1.2 billion dollars. That included reduced funding for public K-12 schools, technical colleges, and UW schools. We cannot continue those failed policies, something that Governor Evers, as an educator, understands.

A strong future begins with a healthy investment in public education. We finally have a governor willing to do what is best for the future of Wisconsin schools and who will not cater to the wealthy donor class. It’s a refreshing change and, what’s more, will lead to a brighter future for school children and the state of Wisconsin.

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