Wisconsin Governor Vetoes School Choice Tax Credit Bill

Evers cites opposition to nationwide expansion of private school vouchers.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:25pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary school bus parked on a quiet city street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative mood around the vehicle.The veto of a school choice tax credit bill highlights the ongoing debate over the role of private education in Wisconsin's public school system.Madison Today

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has vetoed legislation that would have required the state to participate in a new federal program offering tax incentives for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, a move he says is aimed at expanding private school vouchers nationwide.

Why it matters

This veto highlights the ongoing debate over school choice policies, with proponents arguing they provide more educational options for families and opponents concerned about the impact on public schools. As a former state superintendent of public instruction, Evers has long been a vocal critic of private school voucher programs.

The details

The vetoed bill would have had Wisconsin join a new federal tax credit scholarship program, which provides tax incentives for donations to nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations then provide private school scholarships, effectively expanding access to private school choice options.

  • On Monday, March 30, 2026, Governor Evers vetoed the legislation.

The players

Tony Evers

The Governor of Wisconsin who vetoed the school choice tax credit bill, citing his longstanding opposition to the nationwide expansion of private school voucher programs.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The name of the federal legislation that would have created the new tax credit scholarship program that Wisconsin was being asked to join.

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What they’re saying

“Evers said last fall he would veto the legislation, calling it part of a nationwide effort to expand private school vouchers.”

— Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin

What’s next

The state legislature could attempt to override Governor Evers' veto, but would need a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers to do so.

The takeaway

This veto reflects the ongoing partisan divide over school choice policies, with Democrats like Evers generally opposing private school voucher expansion and Republicans supporting greater educational options outside the public school system.