Rep. Robyn Vining Introduces Save Our Schools Legislation

MADISON–Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), Representative Francesca Hong (D-Madison), Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison), and Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) held a press conference to introduce Save Our Schools: a K-12 education bill that raises the special education reimbursement rate to 90%, indexes per-pupil funding to inflation, and provides grants to students enrolled in teacher preparatory programs. Rep. Robyn Vining released the following statement:

“Every child in Wisconsin has a constitutional right to an adequately funded public education. For the last decade and a half the Republican majority has failed to uphold this right. Wisconsin has seen a multi-billion dollar surplus, yet communities across Wisconsin have been asked to go to referendum to raise their property taxes to fund their schools. The Republican failure to fund the schools is driving up costs for Wisconsinites–already unaffordable housing is growing more and more unaffordable.

“With an affordability crisis across Wisconsin, my constituents cannot continue to take on increased costs simply because the legislature is failing to do its job. My constituents deserve better than this, and so I am here with a solution.

“Public schools are part of the heartbeat of our communities, and their impact extends far beyond the classroom, and far beyond the families whose children attend the schools. Strong public schools are good for our workforce, good for our property values, good for our economy, and good for Wisconsin. Public schools serve the common good, and unite us.

“We will no longer tolerate being forced by the Republican majority into a cycle of expensive school referendums– we can do better. I want to break this cycle of referendums, and my bill can do that. I want to support our schools, our teachers, our kids, and our communities.

“The Save Our School bill includes a 90% special education reimbursement, indexes per-pupil funding to inflation, and creates a grant program to increase the number of qualified teachers in our schools.

“This legislation comes at a time when schools just found out that they will be getting less than what was promised in the state budget–they will receive 35% reimbursement for special education costs this year, down from 42% promised. So I want to be clear that my bill provides 90% special education reimbursement–sum sufficient. This legislature needs to provide sum sufficient special education reimbursement–we need to keep our promises.

“This legislation also comes at a time when we are stuck in an entirely avoidable cycle of referendums. In January 2024-April 2025, 96 of the 99 State Representatives serving in the State Assembly represented at least one school district that went to referendum. In other words, during an affordability crisis, the Republican majority is forcing Wisconsinites to choose to raise their own taxes in order to fund their schools. That’s unacceptable, and we must do better for Wisconsinites.

“I am committed to defending and supporting every child in Wisconsin’s constitutional right to an adequately funded education, supporting teachers, and lowering costs. The Save Our Schools bill is an important step in this mission. Let’s get this done so we can move forward, together.”

Rep. Vining represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Elm Grove, and parts of Wauwatosa and Brookfield. For more information visit Rep. Vining’s website here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.