Evers short-changes WI kids by rejecting new federal scholarship tax credits | Opinion – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin families, educators, and politicians frequently express frustration over insufficient education funding, yet innovative, taxpayer-friendly solutions are rarely championed. However, the newly established Federal Education Scholarships tax credit program, created by Congress, offers Wisconsin a timely opportunity to expand educational resources and support students — without placing additional pressure on state taxpayers.
Beginning in 2027, a new federal provision will allow up to $1,700 in tax credits for individuals who donate to “scholarship granting organizations.” These scholarships may be used to help families with public, private, charter, or homeschool costs — including tutoring, transportation, supplemental coursework, industry certification, and other educational supports.
While this credit could bring financial relief to real Wisconsin families, we instead are faced with a problem: Gov. Tony Evers has made clear that he will forgo the opportunity for our state to participate in the Education Scholarships program — a decision that undermines opportunity for many students and families across Wisconsin. Gov. Evers has declared he will refuse to allow Wisconsin to “opt in” to this program, arguing that doing so could be “catastrophic” for public schools. There are several flaws to that thinking.
First, there is no direct cost to state taxpayers, since the tax credits are federal, not funded by Wisconsin state dollars, and are awarded through private donations.
Second, the scholarships provide a broad benefit, as they can be awarded to students in any type of school — public, private, charter, or homeschool. Gov. Evers’ position puts Wisconsin students at a competitive disadvantage, as most states around the nation will take advantage of this funding source.
Additionally, the cost of tutoring, transportation, or supplemental classes is prohibitive for many families. This program provides families with access to educational support initiatives otherwise unavailable to them without extracting resources from public schools.
Finally, with implementation starting in 2027, Wisconsin has ample time to review, debate, and refine the details to ensure it meets the needs of students and families.
At a time when national proficiency ratings are historically low and Wisconsin schools are seeking additional educational resources, Evers is short-changing our kids. Instead of helping taxpayers, offering more programs for kids, and keeping more of Wisconsin’s federal tax money in our state, Evers intends to send the money back to Washington.
There’s a better way to solve education funding concerns than to point fingers and take partisan positions. Wisconsin would be wise to embrace creative solutions like these scholarships, expand learning options to personalize education for each student, and work together to improve student outcomes without increasing the burden on taxpayers already struggling to make ends meet.
This will empower families with more choices and provide students with the resources necessary to reach their full potential. Failing to participate would mean missing out on critical support that could help close achievement gaps and strengthen our schools for the future.
As taxpayers, parents, and neighbors, it is time to push back, demand better, and ensure all children – regardless of zip code, income, or type of school — have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Gov. Evers has the opportunity to welcome a real solution that delivers for Wisconsin students, families, and taxpayers. He should open this program for Wisconsin, not block it. Legislators should pass opt-in legislation. Families, educators, and civic leaders should weigh in, push for transparency, and ensure the implementing rules embrace opportunity for our kids.
Matt Neumann is the owner of Neumann Companies, the largest home building and development company in metro Milwaukee, and is passionate about education, as the quality of schools significantly influences where people choose to live, work, and raise their families.
