Amidst ongoing debates over education funding and tax burdens, recent polling reveals a notable shift in Wisconsin voter priorities. Concerns over property tax relief appear to outweigh those for boosting public school funding, a trend with significant implications for state policy.
The Marquette University Law School Poll, conducted from February 11-19, surveyed 818 registered voters in Wisconsin. Participants were asked to prioritize between reducing property taxes and increasing spending on public schools. The results showed that 60% favored tax reductions, while 40% leaned towards enhancing school funding. This preference for tax relief has reached its highest point in 26 polls conducted since 2013.
Poll director Charles Franklin noted the historical context, explaining that property taxes have consistently been a higher concern since June 2023. “This is not something that happened overnight,” Franklin stated. “It’s been one of the most striking, most consistent trends over these last 14 years of the Marquette Law School Poll.”
Age appears to play a critical role in these preferences. Older voters, particularly those over 60, predominantly prioritize property taxes over school funding. Additionally, only 28% of registered voters have school-aged children, which may influence the focus on property taxes.
Resistance to School Referendums Persists
In addition to tax priorities, the poll indicated a reluctance among voters to support school referendums. A majority of 57% opposed increasing taxes for schools through referendums, unchanged since October, but reflecting a rise in opposition since 2016.
Wisconsin’s school funding system relies on a mix of state aid, local property taxes, and federal funds. In 2023-24, state contributions accounted for 45% of funding, local sources 43%, and federal funds 12%. Over the years, the reliance on local property tax referendums has grown due to static state revenue limits failing to match inflation.
Debate Over Legislative Support for Schools
Voters remain divided on whether the Legislature has adequately funded public schools or if schools should operate within existing budget constraints. The state’s budget surplus of $2.5 billion has sparked interest in using a significant portion for property tax relief, with only 16% opposing this allocation.
Speaker Robin Vos suggested that the state Assembly might hold a special session to tackle the issue. Meanwhile, Gov. Tony Evers expressed optimism about reaching a compromise with GOP leaders on property taxes and school funding.
Charles Franklin emphasized the complexity of school financing, which involves both state and local contributions. “It’s not as simple as just paying for schools from property taxes; the state has a role in that as well,” he stated, highlighting the challenges in achieving bipartisan agreements in a divided government.
Sara Shaw from the Wisconsin Policy Forum offered a hopeful perspective, suggesting that increased state aid could lead to lower property taxes. “Public school advocates could argue that the public can have its cake and eat it, too: more funds for their schools and lower property taxes,” Shaw commented.
Despite these insights, Shaw acknowledged the challenges for districts aiming to pass referendums. “These statewide poll stats may look quite different at the individual community level, and even as 2025, the majority of referenda were still getting approved,” she noted, anticipating the outcomes of upcoming elections.
In a related development, a coalition of parents and educators has filed a lawsuit against the state Legislature, accusing it of inadequately funding public schools. The lawsuit links declining student performance in reading and math to reduced state financial support over the past decade.
