Increasing the funding for K-12 education has been my top priority during budget deliberations this spring and I am proud to announce that the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) restored funding for $150 per pupil in the first year of the biennium and added an extra $100 per pupil in the second year for a total of $200 million in additional investment. Overall, $10.6 billion of the state budget is dedicated to funding for public schools. This investment accounts for 63 percent of all school-related spending statewide.
In addition to general school investment increases, the JFC expanded the school choice program statewide to provide parents with choices and creates a program in which funding follows the child.
As the senator for the 17th Senate District, I had concerns about the impact of statewide school choice on our rural school districts. I did not want our local schools to suffer financially for issues in urban school districts.
The program created in this budget establishes a funding structure in which the funds for children follow them to a private school from their district of residence. In other words, the child's district of residence pays for the voucher. Funding for school choice is not distributed across all of the school districts statewide.
Another provision of the statewide school choice expansion requires participating private schools to perform an annual financial audit and requires that an independent auditor must also review any concerns raised in the private school's management letter. This requirement will encourage private schools to seriously consider whether participation in the school choice program aligns with their goals and priorities.
As promised, the JFC restored the SeniorCare program in the state budget. I supported our efforts to maintain this program that has been very helpful to many residents of the 17th senate district.
I was also proud to support a motion to reinvest $250,000 into a revolving loan program for Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin, which grows business in Grant, Lafayette, Green, Richland and Crawford counties. These funds were originally allocated to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), but due to the failures of the WEDC, we redirected funds already intended for revolving loans to a local organization with proven success.
The Grant County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC), led by Ron Brisbois, has successfully managed 40 revolving loans and has grown their internal loan program from $160,000 to $1.3 million over the last 16 years. The GCEDC requested these funds on behalf of Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin and will work with their surrounding counties to seek opportunities to invest in business and grow jobs.
Also related to economic development, the JFC created a drug testing and treatment program for citizens who receive public benefits and unemployment compensation. Several local employers have shared frustrations that they are actively hiring workers, but that many applicants can't pass a drug test as a condition of employment. Addiction is becoming a barrier to reentering the workforce.
The intent of this provision of the budget is to help our citizens to overcome addiction and destructive behaviors in order to get back to work and contribute to our society. Public benefits such as FoodShare and Unemployment are meant to provide a safety net to help Wisconsinites through tough times. They are not meant to replace a paycheck. We need to do everything we can to support and encourage our citizens to return to gainful employment.
This column highlights just a few of the changes we have made to the state budget. I look forward to continuing to communicate with you about these important issues and welcome your input and ideas.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.
- Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin's 17th Senate District
In addition to general school investment increases, the JFC expanded the school choice program statewide to provide parents with choices and creates a program in which funding follows the child.
As the senator for the 17th Senate District, I had concerns about the impact of statewide school choice on our rural school districts. I did not want our local schools to suffer financially for issues in urban school districts.
The program created in this budget establishes a funding structure in which the funds for children follow them to a private school from their district of residence. In other words, the child's district of residence pays for the voucher. Funding for school choice is not distributed across all of the school districts statewide.
Another provision of the statewide school choice expansion requires participating private schools to perform an annual financial audit and requires that an independent auditor must also review any concerns raised in the private school's management letter. This requirement will encourage private schools to seriously consider whether participation in the school choice program aligns with their goals and priorities.
As promised, the JFC restored the SeniorCare program in the state budget. I supported our efforts to maintain this program that has been very helpful to many residents of the 17th senate district.
I was also proud to support a motion to reinvest $250,000 into a revolving loan program for Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin, which grows business in Grant, Lafayette, Green, Richland and Crawford counties. These funds were originally allocated to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), but due to the failures of the WEDC, we redirected funds already intended for revolving loans to a local organization with proven success.
The Grant County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC), led by Ron Brisbois, has successfully managed 40 revolving loans and has grown their internal loan program from $160,000 to $1.3 million over the last 16 years. The GCEDC requested these funds on behalf of Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin and will work with their surrounding counties to seek opportunities to invest in business and grow jobs.
Also related to economic development, the JFC created a drug testing and treatment program for citizens who receive public benefits and unemployment compensation. Several local employers have shared frustrations that they are actively hiring workers, but that many applicants can't pass a drug test as a condition of employment. Addiction is becoming a barrier to reentering the workforce.
The intent of this provision of the budget is to help our citizens to overcome addiction and destructive behaviors in order to get back to work and contribute to our society. Public benefits such as FoodShare and Unemployment are meant to provide a safety net to help Wisconsinites through tough times. They are not meant to replace a paycheck. We need to do everything we can to support and encourage our citizens to return to gainful employment.
This column highlights just a few of the changes we have made to the state budget. I look forward to continuing to communicate with you about these important issues and welcome your input and ideas.
For more information and to connect with me, visit my website legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein and subscribe to my weekly E-Update by sending an email to Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov. Do not hesitate to call 800-978-8008 if you have input, ideas or need assistance with any state-related matters.
- Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin's 17th Senate District
