Wisconsin Governor Blocks Effort to Undo School Funding Veto

Evers rejects bill to reverse his 400-year extension of revenue limit increases for local schools.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:28pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic government office space with an empty desk and chair, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political tension and gridlock.Wisconsin's political standoff over school funding continues as the governor wields his veto pen to assert executive authority.Madison Today

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has vetoed a bill that sought to undo his previous use of the partial veto to extend revenue limit increases for local public schools by 400 years. In a strongly worded message, Evers told lawmakers to simply fund the schools and 'get over' his long-lasting veto.

Why it matters

Evers' veto powers have been a source of controversy, with the governor using them to make substantial changes to legislation. This latest move to protect school funding for centuries to come is likely to further inflame tensions between the Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled legislature.

The details

The bill Evers vetoed would have reversed his previous use of the partial veto to extend revenue limit increases for local school districts by 400 years. Evers concluded his veto message with a defiant statement telling lawmakers his '400-year veto is here to stay' and that they should simply fund the public schools.

  • Evers vetoed the bill on April 3, 2026.

The players

Tony Evers

The Democratic governor of Wisconsin who has used his veto powers extensively to shape legislation, including this 400-year extension of school funding increases.

Wisconsin Legislature

The Republican-controlled state legislature that has clashed repeatedly with Governor Evers over his use of the partial veto.

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What they’re saying

“My 400-year veto is here to stay, lawmakers. Just fund our public schools and get over it.”

— Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin

What’s next

The Wisconsin Legislature is expected to attempt to override Evers' veto, though they likely lack the votes to do so given the Democratic governor's firm stance.

The takeaway

This latest veto battle highlights the ongoing power struggle between Wisconsin's Democratic governor and Republican-led legislature, with Evers using his executive authority to protect school funding in a highly unorthodox way.