GOP leaders reject Evers' property tax plan, instead call for repeal of governor's 400-year veto

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- At the state Capitol, everyone agrees significant property tax increases are a problem the government has to address. However, it's unlikely anything will change this year as Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and GOP leaders in control of the Legislature continue to propose ideas the other side has already rejected.

On Monday, Evers headlined his list of 2026 priorities with a $1.3 billion property tax package that pays down property taxes by increasing school funding and extended tax credits to low-income residents and veterans.

The Evers plan is based off his proposed 2025-27 state budget, but Republicans stripped out those items last summer.

Instead, Evers and GOP leaders agreed to a compromise that boosted the state's special education reimbursement rate from about 30% to 42%.

The budget deal did not increase general school aid, which is separate from special education dollars.

School districts across the state have responded by raising property taxes. In a 2023 partial budget veto, Evers rearranged letters and numbers in the budget document to raise state-imposed property tax limits on school districts each year for 400 years.

Evers has defended the decision, saying it was a last resort after Republicans refused to properly fund schools. 

"Look, I get it. Republicans want to blame my 400-year veto on property taxes going up," Evers said.

"The problem with that is Wisconsinites were going referendum increasing numbers of years, long before I became governor."

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said Tuesday Republicans agree the state should provide property tax relief, but he first accused school leaders of misleading lawmakers during the budget process.

Vos maintained the Legislature agreed to boost special education spending with the understanding that would give districts enough breathing room to avoid property tax hikes and referendums.

"We met that priority at the same level Governor Evers agreed to six months ago," Vos said. "So, we did that investment in schools already, even though they're trying to obfuscate and make it seem like we didn't make an investment, that's not true."

Democratic leaders in the Assembly told reporters Tuesday their main priority on property taxes is to increase general school aid.

"We've put forward a bill to fund general aids," Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) said. "That would hold the line on property taxes and make sure our schools are able to function."

Neubauer declined to say whether Democrats would support a property tax plan that repeals the 400-year veto.

"Not gonna comment at this point," Neubauer said.

Vos indicated Republicans will only back a property tax plan if it includes a repeal of Evers' partial veto, setting the stage for a showdown that will almost certainly end in a stalemate.

"Are we open to finding an answer on property taxes? We've been saying that for months, as we knew this 400-year increase was going to take effect," Vos said. "One of the things that has to happen is we need Governor Evers to admit he made a mistake."

If there is going to be a compromise plan on property taxes, it'll have to come together soon. As is the Legislature's custom in even-numbered years, lawmakers will have their final floor session in March before transitioning into campaign mode.

Assembly passes bills on "grooming" definition, suspended judge pay, constitutional amendments

The Assembly's first session of 2026 included a wide range of bills, as well as a pair of constitutional amendment questions that will now go before voters:

• Lawmakers approved a bill creating a definition of "grooming," which includes enhanced punishments if a person convicted holds a position of trust or authority. It's based largely on a case in Kenosha where a teacher sent hundreds of suggestive, but not inherently sexual, messages to a minor over a period of time. The bill passed by a 93-6 margin, with only Democrats voting against it, including gubernatorial candidate, Francesca Hong.
• A bill barring judges from being paid while they're suspended passed by a 57-42 vote. Democratic Reps. Steve Doyle, Jenna Jacobson and Tara Johnson joined the Assembly's 54 Republicans in passing the measure. It was based on former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted last month of interfering with federal agents trying to arrest an undocumented immigrant who was a defendant in her courtroom.
• In a pair of voice votes, the Assembly passed a pair of school-related measures. One bill allows for audio and video recording devices to be installed on school buses. The other requires school board and charter school operators to develop a written plan for responding to cardiac emergencies.
• On a party-line vote, Republicans approved a constitutional amendment banning state agencies and universities from considering race, gender or ethnicity as considerations they take into account for decisions such as hiring or state contracts. The question will go to voters in November for final approval.
• Another constitutional amendment approved would ban the state from closing places of worship during a health emergency, which sponsors based on the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Milwaukee Democrats Russell Goodwin and Sylvia Ortiz-Velez joined all 54 Republicans in backing the measure, which voters will also decide with their November ballots.