State Budget: Wirtz-Olsen Urges Crowd to Keep Up the Fight for Fair Funding

On May 27, more than 200 citizen lobbyists joined WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, Citizen Action of Wisconsin leaders, and other coalition partners at the Capitol in Madison in support of funding public schools, healthcare, childcare and prison reform in the state budget.

All of the organizations support Governor Tony Evers’ initial 2025-27 state budget proposal and have joined together to call upon him to veto any attempts to undermine it.

Before a packed room that have been reserved for the coalition’s news conference, Wirtz-Olsen said, “All students deserve the opportunity of public schools—no exceptions. All our students deserve healthy school meals, mental health services, one-on-one attention with qualified staff, and a state budget that meets those needs.”

Wirtz-Olsen said two barriers to students’ opportunities to have the schools and the futures that deserve are the expensive expansion of unaccountable private school vouchers and unfair funding for special education students.

While public schools serve 95 percent of special education students and follow federal requirements for their education, private voucher schools are allowed to bypass those requirements. Still, the state funds 90 percent of the costs of special education students in voucher schools, and only 29 percent for special needs students in public schools.

“Educators in this state are exhausted trying to make up for what vouchers have siphoned away,” Wirtz-Olsen said.

Wirtz-Olsen saluted the overflow crowd in the Capitol Senate Parlor. Many members drove or rode buses for several hours to reach the Capitol on Tuesday.

“I am proud to state today with others who believe in a better Wisconsin and a better state budget,” Wirtz-Olsen said. “Thank you all for standing with us.”

All WEAC members are encouraged to Email Governor Evers and tell him to fight for his budget.