With the state legislature preparing for the 2017-19 State Budget, Democratic lawmakers will host a Budget Listening Session at Dodgeville City Hall on Saturday, April 22, at Dodgeville City Hall, 100-198 E. Fountain St., Dodgeville. 

Lawmakers from across the state will listen to public testimony from local residents on the State Budget. Additional details can be found below. 

Wisconsin schools have lost $2 billion in aid since 2011, while Governor Walker and legislative Republicans have prioritized tax breaks for special interests and out-state corporations. The Governor’s 2017-19 budget unfairly gives more money to wealthy school districts and private voucher schools instead of ensuring every child has an equal opportunity in education. It also continues to put more road funding on the state’s credit card while delaying road projects. 

School Districts in southwestern Wisconsin counties have been hit hard by Republican school cuts since 2011 including:

Grant County districts: lost $3 million in general school aid.

Green County districts: lost $3.2 million in general school aid.

Iowa County districts: lost $1.8 million in general school aid.

Lafayette County districts: lost $1 million in general school aid.

Sauk County districts: lost $272,000 in general school aid.

Republican transportation cuts have also had a negative impact on southwestern Wisconsin counties since 2011 including:

Grant County: $305,000 less in general transportation aid.

Iowa County: $244,000 less in general transportation aid.

Lafayette County: $99,000 less in general transportation aid. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 9.0px; line-height: 11.0px; font: 10.0px Times}

Richland County: $139,000 less in general transportation aid.