(The Center Square) – Democrat David Crowley has vowed to increase school spending from the state and will have the legislative backing to do so after Democrats swept the Wisconsin legislature and governorship in Tuesday’s election.

While Republican Tom Tiffany had vowed to return the state’s $3 billion surplus to taxpayers, Crowley has said that he plans to use the funds to increase the state’s funding of schools in an attempt to lower the property tax obligations of taxpayers.

Local school districts, however, will continue to have the ability to increase school district levies by $325 per student per year for the 400-year period that began after Gov. Tony Evers used his partial veto power to erase numbers and a hyphen to change the year “2024-25” to “2425” in a school appropriation in that budget bill.

Crowley is required to offer his budget proposal to the legislature by Jan. 26, 2027. While the Joint Legislative Finance Committee from a Republican legislature pushed back on Evers’ proposals and changed the plan for the past two budgets, Crowley will now be met with a Democrat-led legislature.

The election also saw 45 of 79 school referendums approved by Wisconsin voters, according to an analysis from Civic Media.

Both the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the group’s employee union, and Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly responded to the election results expecting more state money to now be spent on K-12 schools in the state.

“While I am optimistic about what the outcomes of yesterday’s election mean for the future of public education in Wisconsin, that optimism does not undermine the reality that too many communities are forced to make an unfair decision,” Underly said in a statement. “With nearly 80 referendum questions on the ballot, voters across the state had to choose whether to increase property taxes just so their local schools can keep the lights on, pay their teachers, and continue providing a quality education to children in their communities.

“The school funding formula is broken, and it has failed our children, our schools, and entire communities for decades. Wisconsin’s public schools cannot continue to rely on referenda to provide the educational opportunities all students deserve.”

The WEAC said that its support was important for the election of Crowley and Lt. Gov. Sarah Godlewski and that it hopes the elected officials will now undo former Gov. Scott Walker’s “failed policies.”

“Wisconsin’s voters delivered a clear message Tuesday: They are done with the damage of the Walker years,” WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen said in a statement. “Done with lawmakers’ refusal to fund schools, instead shifting costs to local taxpayers. Done with politicians who demand more while giving our students less.

“Our students cannot put their futures on hold while politicians debate whether to give them what they need. They need qualified educators, safe schools and individual attention that helps them thrive. They need leaders who will make public education a priority.”

Wisconsin spends more in state funding than it did in 2014 and schools receive more in overall funding over that span, according to analysis from Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Research Director Will Flanders.

His analysis showed the state spent $7,693 in 2014 compared to $8,361 now, using inflation-adjusted numbers, and that schools receive $18,592 per student now compared to $16,820 in 2014.

Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth, won his reelection to the 31st Assembly District on Tuesday after being the Assembly Majority Leader last session. He said that, while voters chose Democrats to lead, Republicans will still be pushing for responsible budgeting for their constituents.

“Our work is far from over,” August said in a statement. “Assembly Republicans will stand firmly for our pro-growth, conservative principles. We will continue to fight for lower taxes and a strong economy, accountability in government, election integrity, school choice, and the rights and freedoms that have made Wisconsin a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

“Wisconsin families and small businesses deserve a voice that will push back against higher taxes, bigger government, and policies that make life more expensive. That is exactly what we intend to do.”