Question of the Week: Deal or no deal on school and property tax relief?

Assembly Democrats introduce a bill and push for increased state aid now. Others want to wait until after the election for the chance of a better deal next year. It’s our newsletter Question of the Week for March 22, 2026.

A property tax relief package wasn’t completed before the Legislature ended its 2026 session. GOP leaders sent members home even as they and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers were still negotiating a potential package of increased state general aid for schools, thanks to a budget surplus that has grown to a projected $2.4 billion. The increased state aid would lead to school districts needing to rely less on referendums that ask residents to approve higher property taxes.

If an agreement is reached, Evers could call a Special Session or the Legislature could call itself into Extraordinary Session to hold a vote.

Assembly Democrats aren’t waiting for a deal. They have introduced a bill that spells out what they think a deal should look like: $1.3 billion for general aid and a significant increase in the state’s share of special education costs.

But not so fast, say other Democrats and school supporters, concerned a deal needing support from Evers and Republicans won’t be as helpful as a package that could be done by Democrats next year if they win control of the Assembly and Senate and hold the governor’s office.

What would do? Deal now? Or no deal now, hoping for a better deal later?