Gov. Evers Signs Bill into Law to Increase School Choice Funding

Tgsjmiller   -   June 22, 2023

June 22, 2023

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Gov. Evers Signs Bill into Law to Increase School Choice Funding

This past Tuesday, Governor Evers signed into law a bill that increases school choice funding. According to Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), this bill narrows the funding gap between private schools in the choice program and traditional public schools by increasing the amount per student that schools in the choice program receive from 60% to 76% percent of what public schools receive.

WILL Policy Director Kyle Koenen stated, “The Wisconsin Legislature took bold, decisive action to more equitably fund a quality education for every single child. Instead of an insufficient status quo, money will more closely follow the student, competition and innovation will drive results, and families will be empowered to make the best decision for their child. Once again, Wisconsin will be a leader in supporting true educational freedom for parents and students.”  

In a statement, WILL notes that Wisconsin’s current funding model creates a significant disparity in funding between choice, charter, and public schools. Based on the latest data from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), public schools receive an average of $14,215 in state and local revenue. However, schools in the choice program receive only $8,399 for K-8 and $9,045 for high school, which is approximately 60% of what public schools receive. Independent charter schools also face significant funding shortages, receiving $9,264 per student.

With the passage of this bill, private schools in the choice program will receive $9,499 for grades K-8 and $11,993 for high school. Independent charters will see an increase to $10,991. These funding adjustments have significantly reduced the funding gap between public schools and schools in the choice program. The new funding levels help narrow the gap while still providing cost savings for Wisconsin taxpayers through the school choice program.

In education, people frequently say the money should follow the student. This funding increase for students in a voucher program is one of the best examples of that really happening. Getting more parity is good, but right now our choice program is restricted by income and zip code. We believe all parents should have educational freedom for their children.

Assisted Suicide is Not the Answer to Suffering

Recently, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed a bill to legalize assisted suicide, declaring the legislation “unnecessary” due to advancements in pain management and palliative care. In contrast, earlier this year, Vermont enacted a law allowing patients meeting certain requirements to request a prescription for life-ending drugs without an in-person doctor visit. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys point out that in addition to the obvious problem with assisted suicide, such laws also violate the conscience rights of some health care professionals.

Laws permitting assisted suicide inherently undermine the intrinsic value and dignity of human life. And while proponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide often argue that these end-of-life practices are “compassionate,” in reality, eliminating pain at any cost undermines compassion and often denies patients the care they deserve.

As John Stonestreet of Break Point writes, “The sheer numbers of those killed by abortion and euthanasia suggest that what we often call a commitment to compassion is in reality a commitment to convenience. In Canada, 10,000 people were euthanized in 2021 alone.”

Wisconsin has considered an assisted suicide bill many times. Fortunately, no such bill has ever received a vote in either chamber, but those pushing for this won’t stop. We all need to be prepared to discuss this topic from a right worldview with people of all ages.

Assisted suicide is not the answer to suffering. Doctors help and heal– they don’t kill.

New Study Reveals How Well States Protect Religious Freedom

The NAPA Legal Institute (NLI) released its Faith and Freedom Index (FFI) report, which assessed the laws pertaining to faith-based federally tax-exempt nonprofits in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It assigns each state a score based on how well the state protects religious liberty.

Alabama attained the highest overall score of 75% and Texas secured the second position with a score of 72%.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin ranked among some of the worst states in terms of religious “friendliness,” along with Michigan, Nevada, Massachusetts, Maine, and others. Our state received an overall score of 32% and a religious freedom score of 26%, putting it in 48th place out of the 51 jurisdictions. NAPA highlighted that the low ranking states have intricate regulatory systems and provide minimal safeguards for faith-based organizations, as stated in a press release.

However, Wisconsin did receive positive recognition for having “stronger protections for religious free exercise or worship than the First Amendment.” This comes from Article I Section 18 of our WI constitution and how strongly it has been upheld in our courts.

The research incorporates a set of fourteen factors, which are given different levels of importance and divided into two main categories: religious freedom and regulatory freedom. The study examines the impact of state laws on religious non-profit organizations, taking into account various elements such as state constitutional protections, the absence of the Blaine Amendment, and other factors including property taxes and audit requirements.

It’s a shame that many of our lawmakers don’t respect the God-given freedoms of our religious institutions. States should encourage non-profits to be successful through minimal regulations and audit requirements and robust protections.

Saturday, June 24, 2023
One-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision overturning
Roe v. Wade

June 28, 2023
“Lunch with a Purpose” Webinar Featuring Author Daniel Weiss
Register here

LEAD WI
July 16th-21st, 2023
Maranatha Baptist University – Watertown, WI
Register here

New community event series: Religious Freedom Matters!
Read more about the Religious Freedom Matters! community event series by clicking HERE. Events around Wisconsin are coming soon!

IN THE MEDIA
WEEKLY RADIO COMMENTARY. “WISCONSIN FAMILY CONNECTION”
Airing this week on over 20 stations statewide. This week: “Wisconsin Shouldn’t Become California”

  • Click HERE to listen to this week’s Wisconsin Family Connection or read the complete radio commentary.
  • Subscribe to our podcasts HERE!

“WISCONSIN FAMILY MINUTE”
A daily program for Christian radio stations!

  • Listen on our website HERE
  • Click HERE to subscribe to your Wisconsin Family Minute podcasts and never miss an episode!
  • Find your local station to listen live HERE. If the Christian radio station you listen to isn’t carrying “Wisconsin Family Minute,” please encourage them to do so. Contact us at 866-849-2536 or info@wifamilycouncil.org. 

STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH – Q90FM
WFC President Julaine Appling was a guest on Thursday, May 18, on q90fm’s “Stand Up for the Truth” podcast, hosted by our friend David Fiorazo. You can listen to the podcast HERE. David, Mary (new co-host), and Julaine had a robust discussion on the issues of the day from a Christian perspective.

HOME FRONT/InFOCUS – VCY AMERICA
WFC President Julaine Appling hosts VCY America’s “Home Front” program every Wednesday afternoon (Sept.-May) at 3:15 p.m. On each program Julaine talks about important events happening in Wisconsin.
Click HERE to listen to archived Home Front programs. The program will resume on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Julaine is also a monthly guest on VCY’s TV 30 live call-in program, “InFocus,” hosted by VCY America’s General Manager Jim Schneider. The program is on each Monday evening at 7 p.m., September through May. Julaine most recently joined Jim on Monday, May 15, 2023, the last “InFocus” program for the season. Watch online HERE. “InFocus” will begin a new season on Monday, September 11, 2023, when Julaine will again be Jim’s guest. Archived “InFocus” programs are available HERE.