Spend the money you have already allocated

Wisconsin’s state representatives seem better at providing funding than actually spending it. We’ve seen that with our groundwater, polluted with PFAS. The legislature allocated more than $100 million to deal with the problem, but continues to refuse to release the money to places like French Island where cleanup could begin. Now we are seeing the same petty tactic when it comes to funding education in Wisconsin. $50 million set aside in the state budget to fund new reading initiatives mandated by the state has yet to get to local school districts. Lawmakers continue to refuse to release the money in a fight with the Governor. That issue went to court, and that court ruled Governor Tony Evers did not exceeded his authority when he issued a partial veto. Still, the Joint Finance Committee hasn’t released the money. Meanwhile, local school districts have to pick up the tab for reading initiatives the state told them they must follow. Our children deserve better. Our lawmakers should release the money they already agreed to spend so it can get to our local schools where it is needed.