Representative Angelito Tenorio Rejects State Budget that Leaves Behind Wisconsin’s Working Families

MADISON — Today, Representative Angelito Tenorio (D-West Allis) rejected the GOP-led 2025-2027 biennial state budget. Representative Tenorio released the following statement:

“The budget is a moral document. It lays out, in the clearest terms, what we value, what we prioritize, and who we are willing to leave behind. This budget leaves behind working families, children, seniors, veterans, and Wisconsin as a whole.

I am particularly disturbed that this budget provides $0 new dollars for general aid to public schools over the next two years. The marginal increase to special education reimbursement will fall short due to inflation and demand. It also excludes funding Healthy School Meals, which would simply ensure no child goes hungry while at school. This failure to properly invest in public education all but guarantees school closures and statewide property tax referendums.

In fact, this GOP-backed budget will increase property taxes on average by $160 in 2026 and $276 in 2027. It also includes tax cuts that will cost Wisconsin $1.3 billion over the next two years. This increased tax burden is made all while doing nothing to provide relief to the Wisconsinites that need it most.

During this process, we had a real opportunity to craft a budget that would address the rising cost of living, support struggling public schools, alleviate our mental health crisis, increase affordable housing, honor veterans, rectify the harmful impacts of climate change, and more. At every step, Republicans said no.

As someone who listens to my constituents, I could not vote in good conscience for a budget that will hurt the people I was elected to serve. I stand with the families who are tired of being told to wait for help that never comes. I stand with educators, nurses, and public employees who deserve dignity and fair compensation. I stand with our kids, who get one chance at a childhood. I stand with our seniors, who should not have to worry about paying their bills after a lifetime of work. I stand with Wisconsin even when its budget doesn’t.

I sincerely hope that, going forward, this chamber will do better. The people of Wisconsin deserve better.”

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.