Creator: NORMAN LENBURG Copyright: NORMAN_LENBURG
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — A deal has been reached to disburse Wisconsin’s budget surplus, including a plan to boost Special Education payments to school districts and provide direct payments to those who filed a Wisconsin tax return in 2024.
According to a news release from the Governor, the deal includes education funding designed to reimburse districts for special education expenses and boost general aid. Highlights of the proposal include:
- Includes the largest increase to the state’s special education reimbursement rate in state history to attain 50 percent, investing over $600 million in Wisconsin’s K-12 schools, on top of the already historic nearly $1.4 billion provided in the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, including $300 million in property tax relief through general school aids;
- Provides an additional $50 million in property tax relief for Wisconsinites statewide in addition to the above $300 million in general school aids;
- Eliminates the income tax on cash tips and overtime income for Wisconsin taxpayers; and
- Returns over $850 million of the surplus to Wisconsinites, providing direct support to over 3 million Wisconsinites to respond to rising costs.
The deal also eliminates the state income tax on cash tips and overtime pay, aligning the state and federal tax code. Governor Evers has ordered a special session to approve the deal for anytime between today, Mon., May 11, at 3:00 PM, and Fri., May 15, by 5:00 PM.
Should the deal pass, Evers says he will immediately sign it, allowing for the prompt distribution of some of the education funds. It’s unclear when the direct payments to taxpayers would be distributed.
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