Families left behind as wealthy special interests benefit.

MADISON – Over the course of the last six years, Wisconsin’s public schools have seen their funding slashed by $210 per pupil, a new Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo details. While these historic cuts have taken place, private voucher schools have seen an immense increase of $911 per pupil.

“These new figures detail exactly how damaging the Republican budget cuts have been on working families over the years,” said SSDC Executive Director Matt Ullsvik. “We should not be turning our backs on the education of our children. The misplaced budget priorities of Senators Harsdorf, Olsen, and Tiffany on the Joint Finance Committee continue to hurt Wisconsin families and damage the future of this state. The expansion of the private school voucher program continues to funnel money into the already deep pockets of their wealthy donors.”

“Wisconsinites know that every child deserves access to a quality education. Unfortunately, time after time, Republican legislators refuse to adequately fund our public schools. We deserve leaders in Madison who understand the importance of education for the future of our state. Wisconsin voters recognize that it’s time for a change,” Ullsvik concluded.