News of the Day March 2, 2026
Governor Evers Optimistic About Property Tax Deal, Says Talks Continue

Gov. Tony Evers says he’s optimistic that he and Republican legislative leaders will strike a deal to lower property taxes and increase school funding.

At a Madison luncheon event hosted by WisPolitics Thursday, Evers said that he will meet again with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, in the coming weeks.

“We’re still talking, we’re hopeful that we get some solutions soon,” he said. “When you do things in a bipartisan way, you give things up, get something in return, same with the other side. And so we’re continuing to do that.”

He and GOP leaders have gone back and forth for months over how to reduce Wisconsin’s high property tax rates. While Republican leaders blamed his “400-year veto” for increasing school revenue limits, Evers said investing in schools would reduce the need for communities to go to referendum.

Republicans eventually backed off their demand that Evers repeal his veto, and Evers suggested Thursday that he’s holding fast to his preferred funding mechanism for schools, which would be increased school aids.

“I believe that if we want to take make a huge effort around equalized aid for the state of Wisconsin schools, we should be putting more money into that, and that will help property taxes be relieved,” he said.

In their last public counter to the governor, Republicans proposed a different type of tax relief, calling for $1.48 billion in direct tax rebates to residents. On Thursday, Evers called the effort to mail out rebate checks “maximum politics.”

“That’s (an) election year issue,” he said. “I just don’t think it’s wise.”