LETTER: Evers’ veto of tax credit hurts both public and private K-12s

To Ozaukee Press:

Gov. Tony Evers’ veto of the “Pay It Forward” education tax credit bill is a missed opportunity that ultimately hurts the public schools he aims to protect.

At its core, this policy was about bringing new dollars into Wisconsin’s K-12 system through a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit, providing up to $1,700 per student in additional support. 

Just as importantly, this proposal is entirely separate from Wisconsin’s ongoing debates over state education funding levels. It does not replace, reduce or compete with state aid. It simply adds to the total resources available for schools. Whether you support school vouchers or firmly believe in traditional public schools, the math here is hard to ignore: with more than 80% of Wisconsin students enrolled in public schools, the overwhelming majority of this new funding would have flowed directly into public districts.

Critics have framed the proposal as a benefit for private schools, but that argument overlooks a key reality. Every student, whether in a public, private or charter school, would generate the same level of funding. The benefit is equal on a per-student basis. However, because public schools serve the vast majority of students, they would receive the largest share of the total funding. This was additive funding, not redistributive. No existing public school dollars were at risk.

Even more concerning is the consequence of opting out. If Wisconsin refuses to participate, those federal tax credits don’t disappear, they go elsewhere. That means Wisconsin taxpayers could effectively subsidize education systems in other states, while our own schools miss out on meaningful funding that local schools could use to address whatever priorities and challenges they determine are most important.

Support for the measure was not confined to one political ideology, with the

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Democrats for Education

Reform recognizing its benefits. This was a rare moment of bipartisan alignment around education funding, something Wisconsin should embrace, not reject. The question is not whether Wisconsin should participate, but how much we will lose by waiting.

Edward Bell

Saukville