Gov. Tony Evers announced a bipartisan budget agreement after months of conversations and negotiations with legislative leaders.
In addition to $150 million for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program to support the state’s rural roads and agricultural industry, the state budget secures investments for farmers and their families, including support for the state’s meat and dairy producers, farmer mental health resources, and exports worldwide.
“While this budget looks drastically different than the budget I proposed and does not include everything I asked for and hoped it would, frankly, I believe most Wisconsinites would say that compromise is a good thing because that is how government is supposed to work,” the governor said in a news release.
Evers highlights agriculture items:
- $10 million to continue the Food Security Initiative, a program created by Gov. Evers that connects local nonprofit food assistance programs, such as food pantries, with local producers to keep shelves stocked;
- $3 million to continue the Tribal Elder Food Security program that helps Tribal elders access nutritious, culturally-relevant food while supporting Wisconsin producers;
- $800,000 to increase the available funding for the successful Dairy Processor Grant Program;
- $1 million to bolster and support the Meat Processor Grant Program;
- Over $2.4 million over the biennium for the Meat Inspection Program to ensure meat products are produced safely and match nutrition labels;
- $200,000 to support farmers and their families’ mental health;
- $500,000 to increase funding for the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program, which helps enable producers and producer-led groups to implement nonpoint source pollution abatement strategies to improve Wisconsin’s soil and water quality;
- $2 million to continue the commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program, which aims to protect vital soil and water resources; and
- An additional $1.6 million to support the cover crop insurance program, which helps assists farmers with rebates of $5 per acre of a cover crop planted for crop insurance premiums paid on those acres.
Rep. Travis Tranel, chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, voted in favor of the bipartisan 2025-27 Wisconsin State Budget compromise, calling it a forward-looking budget that supports economic growth while delivering for farmers and rural communities.
“This budget… delivers real, meaningful support for the hardworking people who make our communities strong — farmers, educators, seniors, and small business owners,” Tranel said in a news release. “Together, we’ve passed a responsible, balanced budget that addresses local needs and respects taxpayers.”
Tranel highlights other notable budget items:
- $1.5 billion in tax cuts
- Ends sales tax on residential gas and electric utility bills (saving $178 million statewide)
- New retirement income tax exemption to help seniors
- $1 billion in funding for K-12
- Historic special education investment of $500 million
- $30 million for school-based student mental health services
- Protects SeniorCare
- Cost-to-continue increases for Medicaid approved
- $330 million to strengthen early childhood and child care programs
- $45 million in operating support for the UW System – with accountability reforms
- Continued support for the Dairy Innovation Hub
Sen. Patrick Testin, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, says while “not perfect,” the biennial spending plan funds many core priorities.
“I am particularly proud that we are delivering $1.4 billion in tax relief that targets middle-class families and senior citizens living on fixed incomes. At the same time, we were still able to make key investments in healthcare, K-12 education, workforce development, child care, the Veterans Community Project, and strengthening our infrastructure,” Testin writes in a news release. “This budget delivers a win for all Wisconsinites.”
See the full budget: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/LFB/
