Fast facts on Wisconsin’s newly enacted biennial budget

Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation enacting the 2023-2025 biennial budget last week. We’re breaking it down, highlighting a few major points, in 150 words.

Terms

• Reimbursement rate: Tax-deductible value
• GPR: General purpose revenue
• Innovation grants: Financial backing for research + development
• Revolving loan: Funds remain available to finance operations without fiscal year limitation. Think: Line of credit.

K-12

• $30 million — school-based mental health services
• $97 million GPR — achieve a yearly 33.3% special ed. reimbursement rate
• $50 million — improve reading and literacy

Affordable housing

• $1 billion — new limit on notes + bonds that WHEDA can issue to finance projects
• $275 million — Residential Housing Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund
• $1 million GPR — yearly Homelessness Prevention Program funds

Infrastructure

• $555.5 million — transportation projects
• $300 million — innovation grants
• $100 million — Local Roads Improvement Program

Environment/Agriculture

• $125 million — address PFAS contamination
• $1.6 million — Meat Processor Grant program
• $100,000 GPR — yearly mental health assistance to farm families