(MADISON) State Sen. John Jagler believes Wisconsin’s $2.5 billion budget surplus should go straight back to taxpayers.
Jagler argues families are feeling squeezed by property taxes, gas prices and grocery bills, and he says the state has the money to offer relief now.
The updated surplus estimate, released in January by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, came in $1.5 billion higher than expected for the 2025–2027 budget cycle. Jagler says that kind of growth makes one thing clear.
“It’s the taxpayers’ money,” the Watertown Republican said. “Folks at home know how to spend it better than we do.”
Jagler said Senate Republicans united around a plan to send $1,000 checks to couples and $500 to individuals. The Assembly had initially considered other options, including channeling money through the school funding formula or expanding property tax credits.
But Jagler said both chambers ultimately agreed on the direct rebate approach and presented it to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Evers rejected the proposal. After his State of the State address, the governor called rebate checks a short-term fix. He said the state should instead invest more in public schools to help districts avoid raising property taxes or going to referendum.
Jagler disagrees with that approach. While Republicans have included some school aid in their broader tax package, Jagler said simply sending more money to districts isn’t the best answer.
He argues that direct relief would help people immediately and allow them to decide what matters most for their households. “The worst thing that could happen is if we don’t come to an agreement,” Jagler said. “That would be awful, because it’s just sitting there in Madison.”
Even though the Assembly has adjourned, Jagler said there’s still a path forward. Lawmakers could return in an extraordinary session if a deal is reached with the governor.
