Tony Evers on Education

Invest $20 million to increase literacy-related programming

Teach a full accounting of history in our schools

Republican challenger Tim Michels blasted "woke educrats" being gatekeepers to such decisions and said parents should decide how history is taught.

Tuition freeze at state university for in-state students

Don't increase statewide private school voucher program

Summary by Wisconsin Examiner, 3/1921The steady expansion of programs that siphon public money into private schools is seen by public school advocates as an existential threat to public school districts around Wisconsin. This bill grows the statewide private school voucher program.

Governor's veto message, 6/18:"I object to diverting resources from school districts to private schools. While this bill [claims] a temporary increase in the income threshold, students are not required to meet the income requirement in subsequent years of participation. Therefore, a one-time change in the WPCP income threshold has the potential for long-term financial impacts."

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 60-36-2 on May/11/21; passed Senate 20-12-1 on Jun/9/21; vetoed by Gov. Evers on Jun/18/21.

COVID: Hold schools harmless for enrollment reductions

Education debt affects not just students, but their families

$600M to restore special needs funding

Increase school funding $1.4B; freeze charters

Tony Evers (D): Yes. Increase by $1.4 billion. Increased $ for special education, kindergarten for 4 year olds, & teachers who work in high-poverty districts.

Scott Walker (R): Major cuts in 2011.

Q: Support expansion of charter schools & vouchers?

Evers: No. Would freeze enrollment in school choice programs & phase out unless public schools were fully funded.

Walker: Yes. Has expanded both charter schools & voucher programs.

Increase investments in our technical schools & UW system

Tony Evers (D): Yes. Will Increase investments in both our technical schools & University of Wisconsin (UW) system.

Scott Walker (R): Froze UW tuition. Cut $500 million from higher ed support. Recently restored $100 million.

AdWatch: should have fired teacher caught viewing porn

The state party already made the Harris case into a $500,000 ad buy purchased before the race was even called, signaling the case will be a cornerstone of Republicans' strategy to beat Evers.

Republicans have argued Evers should have revoked Harris' teacher's license, but Evers has said state law wouldn't allow him to at the time Harris' case came before the Department of Public Instruction because students were not exposed to the material.

Evers and lawmakers worked to change state law to give Evers the authority to revoke teaching licenses in cases like Harris'.