MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers’ refusal to let Wisconsinites donate to public and private schools by using a federal tax credit is baffling, a Badger Institute’s education policy expert said Tuesday.
Evers told a reporter Tuesday that he would not allow Wisconsinites to benefit from a new federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to help families pay for a wide variety of education expenses. The credits would have no impact on state tax revenue.
The scholarships, had Evers agreed to sign off, could have been tailored for numerous types of customized programs ranging from tutoring to industry certifications. They would have been available to children in all school types.
Jim Bender of the Badger Institute said Evers’ comment that the scholarship would be “catastrophic” for public schools didn’t make sense.
“The program rules are still being developed,” said Bender, the institute’s education consultant. “By design, all school types are eligible for these scholarships for a variety of options. This does not cost or jeopardize any state funding. Objecting to bringing more funding to all Wisconsin students is a head-scratcher.”
Evers is the fifth governor to weigh in. Among those who are opting in are the Democrat governor in North Carolina and a Republican governor in Tennessee. Democrats in Oregon and New Mexico ruled out participation.
