The Brief
• Wisconsin lawmakers approved a bipartisan budget deal that includes $256 million for the University of Wisconsin System and $330 million for child care programs
• Republicans secured a $1.3 billion tax cut that expands the state’s second lowest tax bracket
• The rare bipartisan agreement was made possible by Wisconsin’s multi-billion-dollar budget surplus
LA CROSSE (WKBT) — Tuesday morning Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he reached a tentative bipartisan budget agreement with the state’s Republican leaders.
In his statement, Evers called it a “pro-kid budget that’s a win for Wisconsin’s kids, families, and our future.”
The deal includes major investments in education and child care, two of Evers’ top priorities.
The deals gives a $256 million boost to the Universities of Wisconsin System.
Included within that increased funding is $194 million for UW-La Crosse to complete phase two of its Prairie Springs Science Center project, which will replace Cowley Hall with modern classrooms and research facilities.
In a statement sent to News 8, Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) wrote, “I am thrilled that after years of advocacy and hard work from a bipartisan group of leaders in business, academia, government, and health care, Prairie Springs Phase II has been included in the bipartisan budget deal.”
There’s also a $330 million increase in funding for the state’s child care programs. It comes right after the pandemic-era Child Care Counts program expired on Monday. Around a third of that total investment will go to replacing that program.
“It benefits not only the families that need to rely on child care and keeping those rates affordable for them, but keeps the child cares in business. Without some of that funding, they’re not able to make ends meet,” said Audra Wieser Larson, the Parenting Place’s Early Care and Education Director/Director of Operations.
While state Democrats achieved many of their goals, the GOP also had some wins.
Republicans secured a $1.3 billion tax cut that will expand the state’s second-lowest tax bracket.
“They really wanted to prioritize tax cuts and that’s exactly what they did,” said UWL Political Science Professor Anthony Chergosky. “So I think both sides are going to claim a victory here.”
In a political age where polarization is high and true bipartisanship is rare, Chergosky said the right circumstances came together for a budget like this to happen.
One of the key factors is the state’s more than $4 billion surplus.
“This type of budget surplus is extremely rare,” Chergosky said. “Both sides could use that surplus money to achieve their policy objectives.”
He added that Evers’ partial veto power and the narrow Republican majorities in the legislature meant the two parties had to compromise to get the budget deal done.
“Given the right circumstances bipartisanship can still happen and this budget deal is proof of that.”
The full Wisconsin Legislature is set to meet Wednesday to vote on the budget.
Governor Evers said once it’s passed, he’ll announce whether he’s seeking reelection.
Chergosky said that decision will have a major impact on how the gubernatorial race looks for both parties in 2026.
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