WTCS Statement on Reducing Property Tax Levies
MADISON – The Wisconsin Technical College System is the state’s largest provider of higher education and workforce training, serving nearly 300,000 students annually across urban and rural communities. In the most recent budget cycle, WTCS requested a general aid increase that reflected the actual cost of sustaining the programs and training capacity required by local employers and communities. That request was underfunded by $36 million.
The consequences of continued underfunding are already being felt statewide. Employers are struggling to find skilled workers, and communities face growing service shortages – most notably in high‑demand fields such as healthcare, where residents in some areas are waiting months or even years for essential services like dental care. Many WTCS colleges lack the financial capacity to expand or even maintain critical programs because existing funding is insufficient to cover basic operating costs. As a result, colleges are forced to limit enrollment, delay program development, or maintain extensive waiting lists across nearly every industry sector.
The Wisconsin Technical College System was established to respond directly to regional workforce needs, driven by close partnerships with local employers and accountability to the communities we serve. Persistent underfunding undermines this model and weakens Wisconsin’s economic competitiveness by constraining the talent pipeline employers rely on to grow and remain viable.
While WTCS remains committed to working collaboratively with the Legislature to address property tax concerns, the ongoing shift away from locally derived property tax support toward increased reliance on state aid represents a significant structural change with long‑term implications. The $50 million in property tax relief aid scheduled to begin in 2026–27 is counted within district revenue limits and offsets local levies dollar‑for‑dollar. As a result, it does not strengthen college capacity or address unmet workforce demand but instead replaces locally controlled funding with state‑controlled aid.
Without adequate and sustainable investment, WTCS colleges will become less responsive to local labor market needs, leaving employers without the skilled workforce they require and communities without access to essential education and training. Ensuring sufficient funding for WTCS is not simply an educational issue, it is a critical economic and workforce imperative for the state of Wisconsin.
About the Wisconsin Technical College System
The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offers more than 500 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas, short-term technical diplomas, certificates and related education for apprenticeships. The System is the major provider of customized instruction and technical assistance for Wisconsin employers. With nearly 300,000 people enrolling in a technical college each year, it is the largest higher education system in the state.
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.
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