Legislature Passes, Governor Signs Budget Diverting $2 Million Per Year From the Common School Fund

Aplogies for the delay on this post; we had some recent personnel changes and out of office vacations that impacted our ability to post this information. 

The Legislature has officially sent the 2025-27 state budget to the Governor’s desk, and Governor Evers signed the bill into law shortly before 2 a.m. on July 3rd. He made minimal partial vetoes. The State Senate adopted a largely technical amendment (though there were some substantive changes) to the version of the bill passed by the Joint Finance Committee. 

The Senate passed the budget as amended on a bipartisan 19-14 vote. Democratic Senators Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton), Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska), Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick), Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay) and Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) joined 14 Republican lawmakers in voting for the budget. The following Republican lawmakers joined the remaining Democrats in voting “no” on the budget: Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk), Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), and Steve Nass (R-Whitewater). 

The Assembly passed the budget as amended on a bipartisan vote of 59-39. Democratic Representatives Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska), Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), Tara Johnson (D-Town of Shelby), Maureen McCarville (D-De Forest), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee) and Lori Palmeri (D-Oshkosh) joined 52 Republicans in voting for the budget. Republican Representative Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) joined the remaining Democrats in voting “no.” 

High-level highlights of interest in the state budget as passed by the Legislature include:

BCPL

Financial Asset Management: The Governor vetoed a $100,000 per year increase for financial asset management approved by the Legislature. He said he vetoed the increase “because I object to including funding that does not sufficiently cover the cost of a new portfolio management system, and I object to sourcing the financial management costs from funds attributable to forestry activities.” 

Delete Deputy Position: The Governor vetoed a provision in the budget that would have deleted the Deputy Commissioner of Public Lands position. As a result of this veto, the board retains the position authority for this 1.0 FTE GPR position for appointment as a deputy director.

Traffic Law Fine and Forfeiture Revenues in Milwaukee County (divert from CSF): Allows Milwaukee County to retain 100% of fine and forfeiture revenues from violations of state traffic laws and require the funds to be used for the district attorney’s office. Currently, 50% of these funds are deposited into the Common School Fund. It is estimated that this provision will decrease revenues to the Common School fund by -$2.2 million per year.

DPI 

Literacy Grants: Provides $37.1 million GPR in 2025-26 in the biennial appropriation for early literacy initiatives for grants to reimburse school districts, independent charter schools, and private choice schools that adopt a literacy curriculum from the recommendations made by the Early Literacy Curriculum Council, and to reimburse school boards and independent charter schools for the cost of professional development training in literacy. 

Public Library System Aid: Increases funding by $1 million in 2025-26 and by $2 million in 2026-27.

Library Service Contracts: Increases funding by $619,200 SEG in 2025-26 and by $666,600 SEG in 2025-27 to fully fund the estimated costs of the library service contracts maintained by the department. DPI contracts with five service providers: the Milwaukee Public Library, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library, the Cooperative Children’sBook Center, and AutoGraphics. 

BadgerLink and Newsline for the Blind: Increases funding by $96,600 SEG in 2026-27 to maintain BadgerLink and Newsline for the Blind levels of service.

Wisconsin's Spring Election is Next Tuesday!

Wisconsin's Spring Election is next Tuesday, April 1! There are two statewide races on the ballot for:

• State Superintendent of Public Instruction--Dr. Jill Underly vs. Brittany Kinser 
• State Supreme Court Justice--Brad Schimel vs. Susan Crawford

There is also a statewide referendum on whether or not Wisconsin should amend its constitution to require voter ID. 

In addition, there are many local races for school board!

WEMTA surveyed both State Superintendent Candidates, Dr. Jill Underly and Brittany Kinser, on issues important to school libraries. You can review their unedited responses here.

State Superintendent Candidate Responses to WEMTA Questions

 

Wisconsinites will head to the polls on Tuesday, February 18 to cast their vote for the state superintendent candidate they want to see advance to the general election.

As a service to our members, WEMTA surveyed every candidate for State Superintendent ahead of the February 18 primary about their positions on some of the top issues facing school libraries. Their unedited responses have been compiled in this non-partisan voter guide. Their answers are verbatim and appear in the order in which their names are listed on the ballot. We encourage you to fact check their responses.

The Office of State Superintendent is incredibly important to WEMTA and the school library community. The Superintendent leads the State Department of Public Instruction, which oversees the appropriate use of the Common School Fund dollars received by schools, the certification of school library and instructional technology professionals and sets funding for BadgerLink and other educational technology contracts.

The two candidates who receive the most votes on February 18 will advance to the general election on April 1, 2025.

WEMTA Voter Guide

State Superintendent Candidates Set Ahead of February 18 Primary

 Three candidates for state superintendent have made it onto the ballot. They are:

• State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly 
• Sauk Prairie School District Superintendent Jeff Wright
• Education consultant Brittany Kinser

The three will face-off in a primary on February 18. The top two candidates will then compete in the general election on April 1. 

Also on the ballot April 1 is the race to fill an open Wisconsin State Supreme Court seat between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford.

Attend a Listening Session with Governor Evers!

Governor Evers is holding five state budget listening sessions. This is an opportunity to speak directly to the Governor and his team about issues that are important to school libraries like intellectual freedom, library staffing, broadband access, the Common School Fund, etc. Input received at these sessions will help the Governor craft his 2025-27 state budget bill. 

Please consider attending a session if you are able! Don't hesitate to reach out to WEMTA with any questions. We are here to support your advocacy!

Monday 12/2 - Appleton 5:30pm-7:00pm 

• Einstein Middle School, 324 E Florida Ave, Appleton, WI 54911, USA 

• Registration Link 

 

Wednesday 12/4 - LaCrosse 5:30pm-7:00pm 

• Northside Elementary School, 1611 Kane St, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA 

• Registration Link 

 

Tuesday 12/10 - Milwaukee 5:30pm-7:00pm  

• ThriveOn King, 2153 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA 

• Registration Link 

 

Thursday 12/12 - Ashland 5:30pm-7:00pm 

• Ashland High School, 1900 Beaser Ave, Ashland, WI 54806, USA 

• Registration Link 

 

Monday 12/16 - VIRTUAL 4:00pm-5:30pm                                 

• Registration Link 

2023-24 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The dust has officially settled on the 2023-24 legislative session. A combined total of 2,458 pieces of legislation were introduced this session (1,113 in the Senate and 1,229 in the Assembly).  Of these, 272 were signed into law and 70 were vetoed.

Here is a quick recap of where bills of interest ended up. All bills that did not pass this session are dead, and will need to be reintroduced next session, which begins in January 2025. 

Vetoed by the Governor 

Parental Rights: Assembly Bill 510, authored by Representative Wittke and Senator Wanggaard, which would have established a number of parental and guardian rights relating to a child's religion, medical care and records, and education. This bill was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Governor Evers.

Tier 1 Licenses for Paraprofessionals:  Senate Bill 608, authored by Senator Knodl and Representative Dittrich, would have allowed paraprofessionals who met certain criteria to receive a nonrenewable Tier 1 license from the Department of Public Instruction. This bill was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Governor Evers.

Failed to Pass the Legislature 

Harmful Materials: Senate Bill 10/Assembly Bill 15, authored by Representative Tittl and Senator Jacque, would have required public libraries and schools to limit minor/student access to harmful material on public computers. It also would have required schools to notify parents about offensive classroom materials. No action was taken on this bill. 

Prosecution of School Employees: Senate Bill 305/Assembly Bill 308, authored by Senator Jacque and Representative Allen, would have removed public elementary and secondary schools, private schools, and tribal schools from the list of institutions for which an employee is protected from prosecution for an obscene materials violation under 944.21 of Wisconsin statutes, effective August 20, 2024. A public hearing was held on AB 308, but it was never advanced out of the Assembly Committee. No action was taken in the Senate. 

Prohibitions on CSF Dollars: Senate Bill 304/Assembly Bill 309, authored by Senator Jacque and Representative Allen, would have prohibited school districts from using Common School Fund dollars to purchase any item that would be considered an obscene material under 944.21(2)(c) of state statute. No action was taken on this bill. 

24-Hour School Library Notification Requirement: Senate Bill 597/Assembly Bill 642, authored by Senator Quinn and Representative Dittrich, would have required schools to develop and implement a policy under which a custodial parent/guardian of all students under the age of 16 received a notification of each item checked out by the student within 24-hours. A public hearing was held on SB 597, but it was never advanced out of the Senate Committee. No action was taken in the Assembly.

Ban the Book Bans: Senate Bill 615/Assembly Bill 657, authored by Senator Roys and Representative Emerson, would have prohibited a library, public or private elementary or secondary school, or institution of higher education from receiving state or local funds if the entity prohibits, bans, or unreasonably restricts access to any book or other media. No action was taken on this bill. 

School Librarians: Senate Bill 758/Assembly Bill 782, authored by Senator Larson and Representative J. Anderson, would have required  every K-12 public school and every K-12 school participating in a parental choice program to employ a full time librarian. No action was taken on this bill. 

Library Complaint Standards: Senate Bill 824/Assembly 783, authored by Senator L. Johnson and Representative J. Anderson, would have put standards into state statute related to individuals making complaints against school library materials. No action was taken on this bill. 

Public Hearing Scheduled on 24-Hour Notification Requirement Bill

The Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, November 28 at 11 a.m. on Senate Bill 597, which would require schools to notify a student's parents or guardians of every item they check out from the school library within 24 hours of check out.  The requirement would apply to all students under the age of 16.

In addition, the bill requires schools to notify parents and guardians about whether or not they provide access to BadgerLink. 

Public hearings are an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments on a piece of legislation. After a public hearing is held, the Committee can decide whether or not they want to advance the bill to the Full Senate for a vote. 

If you plan to attend the public hearing, please email legislative@wemta.org. 

Link to public hearing notice with full details: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1759695

Bill Would Create 24-Hour Parental Notification Requirement for all Materials Checked Out from a School Library

Representative Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) and Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron) are circulating a draft bill, LRB 2344, which would require schools to notify a student's parents or guardians of every item they check out from the school library within 24 hours of check out.  The requirement would apply to all students under the age of 16.

In addition, the bill requires schools to notify parents and guardians about whether or not they provide access to BadgerLink. 

Another bill, LRB 4776, would create similar check out notification standards for public libraries. 

These bill are currently in the co-sponsorship stage. Other lawmakers have until October 25 to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill, after which it will get an official bill number and be formally introduced. 

WEMTA will keep you updated as this bill progresses through the Legislature. 

Youth Social Media Act Introduced

State Representative David Steffen (R-Green Bay) has introduced Assembly Bill 373, which would set requirements that social media companies must follow when it comes to accounts held by minors. 

This would include:

• Ensuring that all social media accounts created on or after January 1, 2019 are designated as youth accounts (unless the company determines that the account holder is not a minor) 

• Prohibiting direct messaging between a youth account and any other account that is not linked to the youth account through "friending" or another process where two people add each other as contacts

• Refraining from showing youth accounts in search results

• Preventing advertising from being shown to youth accounts 

• Refraining from using or collecting personal information from a youth account 

• Refraining from the use of targeted or suggested groups, accounts, users, services, posts and products

• Ensuring that youth accounts cannot be accessed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

• Providing information to a parent or guardian of the youth account so they can access the account. Parents could opt their child out of the youth account designation. 

Joint Finance Committee Passes DPI Budget

The Joint Finance Committee voted 11-4 along party-lines on June 13 to pass a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) budget that provides an additional $778.5 million in state funds to schools ($837.6 million all funds).  

Included in that list are several items of interest to WEMTA, summarized below. 

Early Literacy and Reading Improvement:The Committee voted 11-4 to place $50 million GPR in the Committee’s supplemental appropriation to fund a literacy program.The Governor’s budget provided $10 million GPR per year to create two new appropriations, including $9.1 million annually to contract with and train literacy coaches to implement a comprehensive program of trainings for educators to improve early literacy and reading outcomes for Wisconsin Students.

Common School Fund Reestimate: :The Committee voted 11-4 to re-estimate Common School Fund revenue by an additional $7 million per year for an estimated $52 million in aids per year. 

Shared School District Services: The Committee voted 11-4 to place $5 million in their supplemental appropriation for shared school district services. The Governor's budget did not include funding for shared services.

Wisconsin Reading Corps (657): The Committee did not approve the Governor’s budget proposal to provide an additional  $1 million in 2023-24 and $2 million in 2024-25 to support literacy tutoring services provided through the Wisconsin Reading Corps. 

The Literacy Lab (657): The Committee did not approve the Governor’s proposal to provide  $75,000 in 2023-24 and $1.3 million in 2024-25 to the Literacy Lab, to provide evidence-based literacy intervention programs in public schools located in Milwaukee and Racine. The organization places trained full-time literacy tutors in elementary schools.

Reach out and Read: The Committee voted 11-4 to provide $500,000 in 2023-24 for Reach out and Read, Inc. to support the integration of books and reading into pediatric care. The Governor’s budget provided $250,000 per year to Reach out and Read, Inc.

Public Library Aid: The Committee voted 11-4 to provide an additional $2 million SEG in 2023-24 and $4 million SEG in 2024-25 to public libraries.The Governor’s budget provided an additional $7 million SEG per year. In 2022-23, public library aid totaled $20,013,100 SEG from the universal service fund

Recollection Wisconsin: The Committee voted 11-4 to approve the Governor’s proposal to provide $150,000 SEG in 2023-24 and $300,000 SEG in 2024-25 for Recollection Wisconsin and to require the State Superintendent to annually distribute the funding to Wisconsin Library Services, Inc to support the digitization of historic materials in public libraries throughout the state.

BadgerLink and Newsline for the Blind: The Committee voted 11-4 to approve the Governor’s budget proposal to provide  an additional $104,000 SEG in 2023-24 and $203,000 SEG in 2024-25 to maintain the current level of services provided through BadgerLink and Newsline for the Blind. 

Library Services Contracts: The Committee voted 11-4 to approve the Governor’s budget proposal to provide an additional $29,800 SEG in 2024-25 to fully fund the cost of the statutorily-required library service contracts. DPI contracts with the Milwaukee Public Library, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library and the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. 

Legislation Prohibiting the Use of CSF Dollars for Certain Materials, Allowing Prosecution of School Employees Over Obscene Materials Introduced

Legislation referred to as the "Protect Childhood Innocence" package was introduced in the Wisconsin State Senate this week by Senator Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) and Representative Scott Allen (R-Waukesha). These bills would impact school libraries and school librarians by restricting the use of Common School Fund dollars and allowing for the prosecution of school employees over obscene materials violations. 

In a memo to colleagues, the lawmakers said these bills were introduced because: "Since the pandemic, parents have paid more attention to what material their students are encountering and demanding that their students not encounter sexually explicit material in school."

Prohibitions on CSF Dollars: Senate Bill 304, would prohibit school districts from using Common School Fund dollars to purchase any item that would be considered obscene material under 944.21(2)(c) of state statute, which defines obscene material to mean a writing, picture, film or other recording that:

1. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to the prurient interest if take as a whole;

2. Under contemporary community standards, describes or shows sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and

3. Lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational or scientific value, if taken as a whole. 

Allowing Prosecution of School Employees: Senate Bill 305 would remove public elementary and secondary schools, private schools, and tribal schools from the list of institutions for which an employee is protected from prosecution for an obscene materials violation under 944.21 of Wisconsin statutes, effective August 20, 2024. 

If you have concerns about these bills, you can contact your state senator and state representative. 

JFC Eliminates BCPL Deputy Commissioner of Public Lands, Senior Accountant Positions

The Joint Finance Committee met today to vote on several agency budgets, including BCPL. While the Committee approved BCPL's request for more supplies and services funding, they rejected their request for increased funding to help fill two vacant positions and instead voted to eliminate those positions.

See below for a full summary of the action.

Secretary of State 

The Committee did not take any action on the Secretary of State budget, so the office will have a base budget (same funding levels as current budget). 

The Governor’s budget would have provided the Secretary of State with $203,500 in 2023-24 and $218,700 in 2024-25 and two new positions for the Office. However, this item was removed from the budget on May 2. 

Board of Commissioners of Public Lands

Vacant Position Elimination: The Committee voted 12-4 to provide BCPL with $11,700 GPR per year to fully fund all currently filled positions and delete the vacant Deputy Commissioner of Public Lands and senior accountant positions, subsequently reducing BCPL funding by $148,400 per year.  The Governor’s budget would have provided an additional $69,400 GPR per year to help fill vacant positions, which BCPL has struggled to fill with the current salary levels.

Democrats offered a motion that would have provided BCPL with $69,400 GPR per year for vacant positions, but it was rejected by the Committee, 4-12. 

Investment and Land Management Expenses: The Committee voted 12-4 to approve the Governor’s proposal to provide BCPL with an additional $65,000 per year for supplies and services. BCPL's expanded investment authority has incurred additional costs for due diligence reporting, investment accounting, and legal work related to new investments. In 2021-22, BCPL expended 98.5% of its supplies and services budget.

Forester Position: The Committee voted 12-4 to provide $52,200 SEG in 2023-24 and $69,500 SEG for 1 forester position to be funded by the conservation fund instead of GPR. The Governor’s budget provided the same amount of funding but through GPR instead of SEG revenue. BCPL's two current forester positions are responsible for managing 77,845 acres. BCPL staff say that the additional position will increase timber harvest revenues for the school trust funds.

State Treasurer 

Increased Resources for the Office: The Committee rejected a motion by Democrats to provide $52,200 in 2023-24 and $69,600 in 2024-25 to create an office manager position. The Office of the State Treasurer has operated with 1.0 position (the State Treasurer) since 2015. The Committee took no other action on the State Treasurer budget, so the office will continue at base (current) funding and staffing levels. 

Educational Communications Board

Vacant Position Elimination: The Committee voted 12-4 to eliminate 2.68 PR positions that have been vacant for 24 months or more.

PSC to Host Statewide Internet for All Listening Tour

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is holding several listening sessions around the state to help develop the state 5-year Action Plan and state Digital Equity Plan. 

Wisconsin could expect an allocation of $800 million to $1.1 billion to implement the state’s five-year action plan for broadband and approximately $25 million to implement the state’s Digital Equity Plan under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s ‘Internet for All’ programs. 

Visit the Event website for full listening session details: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/ServiceType/Broadband/ListeningTour.aspx 

Monday, May 8 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM UW-Stout Memorial Student Center (302 10 th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751) In partnership with Momentum West 

Tuesday, May 9 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM Seven Winds Casino Lodge & Event Center (13767 W County Road B, Hayward, WI 54843) In partnership with Visions Northwest 

Tuesday, May 9 | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Pines Event Center (5840 Forest Ln, Rhinelander, WI 54501) In partnership with Grow North 

Tuesday, May 9 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Milwaukee 7 Office (301 W Wisconsin Ave, Ste 220, Milwaukee, WI 53203) In partnership with Milwaukee 7 

Monday, May 15 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM La Crosse Public Library Auditorium (800 Main St, La Crosse, WI 54601) In partnership with 7 Rivers Alliance 

Friday, May 19 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Fox Valley Technical College – Appleton Campus (1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton, WI 54912) In partnership with New North 

Monday, May 22 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Virtual meeting on zoom 

Tuesday, May 23 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Madison College Truax Gateway/Welcome Center (1701 Wright St., Madison, WI 53704) In partnership with Madison Region Economic Partnership 

Tuesday, May 23 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Platteville Public Library (225 W Main St, Platteville, WI 53818) In partnership with Prosperity Southwest 

Thursday, June 1 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Mid-State Technical College – Wisconsin Rapids Campus (502 32 nd St N, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494) In partnership with Centergy 

Tuesday, June 6, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Virtual meeting on zoom

Budget Committee Voting on BCPL Budget May 4!

The Joint Finance Committee, the Legislature's budget-writing committee, is voting on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands budget on Thursday, May 4 at 11 a.m. The Joint Finance Committee has the option to approve the BCPL funding increases proposed by the Governor, provide lower increases than what was proposed by the Governor, or remove the increases from the budget entirely. 

 

WEMTA members can contact their state senators and state representatives before May 4 and ask them to support Alternatives A1 and B1 in LFB Paper #205, which will provide a total increase of $268,800 over the biennium to BCPL to help hire vacant positions and keep up with the costs of managing the Common School Fund.

 

The funding increases proposed by the Governor would provide $69,400 per year to hire a Deputy Commissioner of Public Lands and a senior accountant, and $65,000 per year to keep up with trust fund management costs. 

 

Here are Some Talking Points You can Use:

 

• The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) is incredibly important to school libraries. BCPL manages the Common School Fund, the only dedicated source of K-12 school library funding in Wisconsin. 

• BCPL needs increased funding to offer the compensation necessary to attract candidates for vacant agency positions, including a Deputy Commissioner of Public Lands and senior accountant.  It is incredibly important to fill these key positions, which help administer and oversee the investment of the $1.4 billion school trust fund. 

• BCPL indicates that without increased funding for positions, existing agency employees will likely need to take on additional work and to postpone certain job tasks such as developing due diligence reports on new investments and managing certain fund investments. 

• BCPL gained expanded investment authority in 2016, which has allowed them to diversify and expand their investments, directly benefiting the Common School Fund, which has produced record disbursements to school libraries over the past several years. Increased supplies and services funding is needed to accompany the expanded investment activities.  

• A strong BCPL means a strong Common School Fund. Investing in the agency is an investment in school libraries. 

How to Contact Your Legislators:

 

The first step in contacting your legislator is knowing who your legislator is. The easiest way to do this is the tool found on the Legislature’s home page, at http://legis.wisconsin.gov. In the right-hand side of that page is a link that says Find My Legislators!  Type your address in the box below that link to get the names of your state representative and senator.