Is there a way around a big, fiscal barrier?
Welcome to Quinton’s K-12 Corner, a series discussing the biggest education issues in a simple way. Wisconsin’s children deserve the best schools in America. This series provides solutions to the major problems facing parents, taxpayers, superintendents, and new state leadership. If you have suggestions, comments, or questions, email QK@ReformingGovernment.org.
Where We Are
Former governor Scott Walker has warned Wisconsinites direly about overturning Act 10, the 2011 law that changed how public employees unionize, negotiate, and contribute to their benefits.
Repealing Act 10 would put schools in a “financial trap” that “would harm school district finances” if Wisconsin did not raise taxes. Without higher school spending, “Those educators a district cannot support given its finances would likely be laid off.”
. . . I was just kidding. All of those quotations come from 2 of Wisconsin’s leading public-school advocacy groups, the Wisconsin Association Of School Business Officials and the Wisconsin Association Of School Boards. If they are publicly apprehensive, consider how nervous you should be.
Wisconsin taxpayers saved 18% on school benefits the year Act 10 passed. If Wisconsin added 18% to current school benefits expenses, it would cost taxpayers ~$550,000,000 today for the same schools. Because of Act 10, Wisconsin is 1 of just 5 states with fully funded pensions, protecting workers and preparing Wisconsin for any economic calamity ahead.
Where We Could Go
Wisconsin could be consumed by this debate once again. Unfortunately, those advocating for Act 10’s dissolution lack a plan to avoid layoffs or tax hikes. In the background, health care costs are obliterating district budgets as Wisconsin supports more elderly people with fewer of working age.
Wisconsin would thrive best if the Legislature solved this debate, not a court order. Will Wisconsin lay off educators, raise taxes even higher, or find a bipartisan way to manage the status quo? Are leaders and citizens prepared for this debate in this economic climate? We will discover the answer soon, and it will not be an easy one.
The most powerful union in our country is the Teacher’s Union. The liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court will overturn Act 10 and we all will pay for it with no accountability.