WSJ rips Wisconsin Gov. Evers for refusal to join federal school choice tax credit program

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is “taking orders” from teachers’ unions instead of seeking the well-being of students in his state, writes The Wall Street Journal editorial board.

In an op-ed this week, the board ripped Evers, a Democrat, for saying he would not opt the Badger State into a new federal school choice tax credit program, which passed as part of Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill.

Under the program, scholarship-granting organizations in participating states would award scholarships from donations residents make in exchange for federal tax credits. The credits are capped at $1,700. The program is set to begin in 2027.

But since states must choose to participate, blue-state governors such as Evers face a dilemma: leave money on the table that could help both private school students and those in public schools who need tutoring and other assistance, or embrace school choice at the risk of offending teachers’ unions and the pro-public school lobby.

Evers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that participating would be “catastrophic” for public schools, adding, “We have plenty of voucher schools. We don’t need voucher money.”

Although Milwaukee was a national leader in school choice in the early 1990s and the state has expanded its programs, the WSJ editorial board says Evers is doing the unions’ bidding.

“What’s really going on here is that teachers unions that give orders to Mr. Evers don’t want money for education going directly to parents to use as they see fit. That might lead to more education competition,” it wrote. “The unions want every dollar to go directly to the public schools and districts that they control, no matter their educational results.”

State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, said she fears “the governor may not understand the policy too well.” Rodriguez had already announced plans to introduce a bill to join the program, only to have Evers respond that he wouldn’t approve it.

“He claims that opting our state in would be ‘catastrophic’ to public schools, but the federal tax credit can benefit students in private and public schools alike,” she said in a release. “This program isn’t about one type of school. It helps public, private, charter and homeschool families access the tools their kids need to succeed.

“Having Wisconsin join this federal program should be a slam dunk. This opportunity comes at no cost to Wisconsin taxpayers. The program is funded entirely by private donations incentivized through a federal tax credit. This is a chance to bring more resources into our classrooms – public, private, rural and urban – to help our children succeed.”

Rodriguez urged Evers to reconsider, putting aside “partisan politics” and doing right by all Wisconsin children: “All kids deserve our support, not just those in public schools.”

The WSJ board also noted another reason the nation’s 23 Democratic governors should consider the program: Money donated in their states could go to benefit students in states that participate.