Evers vetoes bill unlocking new scholarships for Wisconsin families across all school types
Outgoing leftist Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed Assembly Bill 602, blocking Wisconsin from joining a new federal tax-credit scholarship program that would have provided up to $1,700 per student in new funding for K-12 public, private, and charter schools with no cost to state taxpayers.
The legislation, passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature, would have required the state to notify the U.S. Treasury by July 1, 2026, of its intent to participate in the permanent program created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Private individuals could donate up to $1,700 to certified scholarship-granting organizations and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. The funds could then be used by families for a wide range of qualified educational expenses, including tutoring, curriculum, transportation, internet access, technology, school supplies, and special-needs therapies.
Eligibility extended to families earning up to 300% of the area median income, broadening access beyond Wisconsin’s existing income-limited voucher programs. Supporters noted public schools would receive the lion’s share of the new money, with nothing diverted from current public education budgets. If Wisconsin opted out, the funds would either remain in the U.S. Treasury or flow to the 28 other states that have already joined or indicated they would participate.
Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce President Dale Kooyenga, a former Republican lawmaker, called the veto disappointing in a series of posts Monday. He highlighted the program’s bipartisan backing, including unanimous support from the nonpartisan MMAC board and encouragement from Democrats for Educational Reform. Kooyenga stressed that the initiative represents “new money” for all school sectors and pointed to MMAC’s plan at payitforwardwi.org, which includes a commitment to fund 100 reading tutors in Milwaukee Public Schools if the state participates.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty Deputy Counsel Cory Brewer criticized the decision in a statement, saying the program offered a “meaningful way to expand educational opportunities for Wisconsin students in all types of schools at no cost to the state.” Brewer added that Evers “chose to side with the education establishment instead of Wisconsin families,” while other Democratic governors are embracing or seriously considering the opportunity. WILL and a coalition of organizations had previously urged federal officials to prioritize implementation of the program.
Evers’ veto means Wisconsin is the only state declining to participate. The bill required no new state spending and operated alongside existing public school funding. With the veto, the new federal scholarships will not be available to Wisconsin families in other states beginning in 2027.
