Biennial budget listening session on April 2 in Kaukauna

The first of four statewide public listening sessions on the state budget bill will be held on Wednesday, April 2, at Kaukauna High School. The session will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The Wisconsin 2025-27 Biennial Budget is the most important bill to be passed into law during the two-year Legislative session. Once approved, the budget bill will impact the lives of every Wisconsin citizen in some way. The Biennial Budget is currently being debated by the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC).

At the listening session in Kaukauna, the public will have an opportunity to address the JFC, with each speaker given two minutes. Written comments can also be turned in at the sign-in table or submitted via the committee’s website.

The remaining three listening sessions will be held in West Allis on April 4; Hayward on April 28; and Wausau on April 29. Complete details can be found on the JFC website.

Governor Tony Evers presented his 2025-27 Executive Budget in February and labeled this year “The Year of the Kid.” Highlights of the Executive Budget include increased funding for K-12 schools, especially for special education, and mental health, and funding for free school breakfasts and lunches.  The budget includes a ‘make-or- break’ proposal of $856 million for the University of Wisconsin System. Other proposals include funding for childcare, tech schools, lead exposure remedies, water quality, and the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program. 

In May, the JFC will debate and eventually pass the budget out of their committee. It then goes to the Senate and Assembly to be debated and passed it is hoped by early June.  Then it is up to Governor Evers to pass, veto, or do partial vetoes (with specific restrictions). The 2025-27 Budget will go into effect on July 1. The previous funding levels stand if no budget is passed by that date.