State Representative Benjamin Franklin

Today, my colleagues and I held a press conference on the agreement between the Legislature and Governor Evers on the use of Wisconsin’s budget surplus to provide direct support and relief to taxpayers across our state.

This surplus was made possible because Republicans maintained fiscal discipline during last year’s bipartisan budget negotiations, allowing Wisconsin to stay financially strong while continuing to invest in key priorities.

After months of discussion, this agreement delivers relief in several important ways:

✅ Direct Payments to Taxpayers

Wisconsin residents who filed a 2024 state income tax return will receive a $300 rebate, while married couples filing jointly may receive up to $600.

Altogether, an estimated $870 million will be sent back directly to Wisconsin taxpayers.

✅ Property Tax Relief

The plan provides over $300 million in property tax relief for every school district in Wisconsin through the school funding formula, including districts that currently receive no aid under the general formula.

An additional $50 million in relief will come through technical colleges by lowering the amount of debt they may levy on taxpayers. Republicans have worked for years to reduce this burden, and this legislation halves the remaining debt.

✅ Tax Relief for Wisconsin Workers

This legislation eliminates Wisconsin income taxes on tipped wages and overtime pay, delivering more than $230 million in permanent tax relief to hardworking Wisconsinites.

We decided to take this provision even further than the federal government as it won't expire in 2028.

This agreement builds on the second-largest income tax cut in Wisconsin history secured through the last budget which provided $1.5 billion in relief.

✅ Historic Support for Special Education

The 2025–27 state budget already included the largest increase in special education reimbursement rates in Wisconsin history. Based on DPI’s estimated 4% growth in aidable costs, reimbursement rates were projected to increase to:

• 42% in year one
• 45% in year two

However, because DPI’s original estimate was off by approximately 5%, the reimbursement rate came in lower than expected.

This agreement adds another $85 million in year one and $230 million in year two to close that gap and provide extra funding, increasing reimbursement rates to 42.7% this year and 50% in 2026–27 — double the rate from 2019.

Happy Mother’s Day! My life has been richly blessed by the women in my life. My wife, my daughter, my mother and grandmother. Words can not express my gratitude. I hope all mother’s have a wonderful day today!

Last week I had the pleasure to join a nuclear energy panel at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Legislative Advocacy Day. Also on the panel were Robb Hughes, of Realta Fusion; Devesh Ranjan, Dean of UW–Madison’s College of Engineering; and State Senator Melissa Ratcliff.

We had a great discussion on where nuclear energy stands in Wisconsin today, and where it’s headed in the future.

Thank you to the Wisconsin National Guard Association and the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association for the invitation to attend their annual awards banquet! I have worked hard to support our veterans and service members, and it was truly an honor to be presented with a certificate of appreciation.

Thank you to all who have served and I promise I will continue to fight for you.

Thank you to Jason and the team at Spectrum for the invitation to discuss the progression of AI, the role it could potentially play in the classroom, and the ways it should not be used.

State Rep. Franklin talks about the guidance of AI usage in schools from DPI Rep. Franklin discussed his bill that targets AI chatbots which could simulate human-like relationships with children.

NWTC doing some things!