The following is written by Rep. Travis Tranel
In a time when politics often feels divisive, Wisconsin has shown that bipartisan cooperation still works. I was pleased to vote for the 2025–27 State Budget because it prioritizes rural Wisconsin. It does so by cutting taxes, investing in infrastructure, supporting family farms, education, and protecting SeniorCare, a vital prescription drug program for seniors.
This budget delivers $1.5 billion in tax relief to hardworking families and retirees. That includes eliminating the sales tax on home utility bills and creating a new retirement income tax exemption to help seniors on fixed incomes in Wisconsin. Eliminating the sales tax saves residents $178 million.
Education remains a top priority. We’re investing $1 billion in K-12 schools and a historic $500 million in special education. Additionally, $30 million is allocated to expand student mental health services.
The budget provides $330 million to strengthen early childhood and child care programs. It includes a $2 million matching grant to help Platteville build a new daycare facility. It was made possible by strong local advocacy and the leadership of Senator Howard Marklein. He is the Co-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee.
Rural infrastructure and agriculture received deserved attention. Over two budgets, we’ve invested $300 million into the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP), alongside significant support for dairy and meat processors. We also maintain strong backing for the Dairy Innovation Hub to advance dairy research and innovation. General Transportation Aids (GTAs) received 3% increases each year to help towns fix their roads. I worked closely with Reps. Todd Novak and Tony Kurtz and Sen. Marklein to ensure rural voices were heard.
This budget also supports rural hospitals and senior services, funds Medicaid cost-to-continue increases, expands mental health crisis support, and adds assistant district attorneys in Grant and Crawford Counties to strengthen public safety.
Higher education is vital to our region’s future. We invested $45 million in UW System operating support, with new accountability reforms. UW–Platteville, a major local employer and an anchor of our local economy, will receive $6.7 million to plan the renovation and expansion of Ottensman Hall. I commend Chancellor Tammy Evetovich for her steady leadership, which has stabilized the university’s future and set an example for the rest of the UW system.
We continue strong support for Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, nationally recognized for preparing students for in-demand jobs. Importantly, this budget also protects our state’s “Rainy Day” fund, keeping Wisconsin prepared for the unexpected while meeting today’s needs.
No budget is perfect, and compromise is never easy. But this plan reflects common ground and common sense. I credit Governor Evers and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to make this happen. It’s a positive, forward-looking budget for Wisconsin.
When the late, great Coach Jerry Petitgoue of Cuba City addressed the State Assembly in 2023 while receiving the Assembly’s Hometown Hero Award, he reminded us, “You’re all in it for Wisconsin.” That simple message stuck with me throughout this process. I believe Coach would be proud of how we came together and worked to deliver a compromise budget that puts the people of Wisconsin first.
