Scores of parents, families and school advocates rallied at the State Capitol June 30 and called on legislative Republicans to restore the funding cuts to K-12 schools and eliminate the harmful policy items that have been inserted in the 2015-17 state budget.

Supporters of public education noted that districts across Wisconsin are facing increasing challenges at home as a result of the historic cuts to education enacted by legislative Republicans and the drain on education funding caused by the  expansion of private voucher school subsidies.

“I am encouraged by the thousands of hardworking Wisconsin families, parents and advocates who refuse to settle for another Republican budget that cuts funding from our local public schools,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “From the beginning of this budget process, their message has been clear. Republicans must restore the cuts to public schools and stop selling out Wisconsin students to benefit Gov. (Scott) Walker’s presidential campaign.”

Since legislative Republicans came to power in 2010, school districts across Wisconsin have faced historic cuts as state funding continues to be diverted to special interest groups backing Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential campaign.

While overall state budget spending has ballooned more than $10 billion under Republican control, support for education has been cut by over $200 per student over that same time period.

“Democrats are committed to restoring the historic cuts to our local schools and investing in our communities,” added Shilling. “It is disappointing that legislative Republicans continue to be more focused on Gov. Walker’s presidential ambitions and special interest giveaways rather than the issues that are most important to Wisconsin’s working families.”