55th Assembly District Update: August 22, 2025

Question of the Week

As kids head back to school, what is your biggest concern for the new school year?

Click here to answer!

Budget Breakdown: K-12 Education

As kids head back to school this month, this week’s Budget Breakdown is all about K-12 Education. Our budget invests $500M+ in special education, $50M+ for high-cost aids, and $37.1M to fully fund literacy grants—ensuring our youngest learners get the support they need to read and succeed. We also increased open enrollment funding by $500 per pupil, making sure resources follow the student to the school that is actually teaching them. On top of that, $30M in one-time funding for school-based mental health grants helps schools provide counseling and support services, removes barriers to care, and gives every child the tools they need to thrive academically and emotionally. And we’re expanding opportunities with $500,000 for robotics league participation grants—helping Wisconsin students build skills for the future. These investments strengthen classrooms today and build a brighter future for Wisconsin’s kids.

Supporting Students and Classrooms

• $500M+ for special education and $50M+ for high-cost education aids.

• $37.1M for literacy grants, fully funding the $50M literacy program created last budget (remaining $12.9M funded earlier) — ensuring our youngest learners get the support they need to read and succeed.

• Increased the full-time open enrollment transfer amount by $500 per pupil in both 2025-26 and 2026-27, on top of the annual indexing adjustment — making sure funding follows the student to the school that is actually teaching them.

Student Wellbeing

• $30M in one-time funding above the base for school-based mental health services grants.
  • Removing barriers to care, strengthening learning in the classroom, and giving every child the support they need to succeed in school and in life.

Expanding Opportunities

• $500,000 for robotics league participation grants.

  • Expanding access to hands-on STEM opportunities, fostering teamwork, and preparing Wisconsin students for the high-tech jobs of the future.

Committee on Ways and Means

This week, the Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing on four important bills—Assembly Bill 38, Assembly Bill 280, Assembly Bill 369, and Assembly Bill 375—all aimed at supporting workers, strengthening families, and investing in communities across Wisconsin.

• AB 38 – Creates an income tax exemption for tips received by employees from their customers, allowing workers in industries like hospitality to keep more of what they earn.

• AB 280 – Expands the business development tax credit to include workforce housing and childcare awards, helping address two of the biggest challenges facing Wisconsin workers and employers.

• AB 369 – Establishes a tax credit for businesses that provide child care to their employees, making it easier for parents to stay in the workforce while ensuring kids have safe, quality care.

• AB 375 – Improves the historic rehabilitation tax credit to encourage investment in preserving and revitalizing Wisconsin’s historic buildings, boosting economic development and community pride.

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