The proposal likely represented the biggest increase for any agency’s budget in the two-year budget, said Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam.
“The budget has to be right-sized to what’s affordable,” Born said. “It is a priority, but you have to be able to afford it, and it has to be reasonable.”
Critics say the increases are not enough to keep up with rising costs, forcing districts to continue seeking more money through referendums. Democrats and advocates had pushed for the state to increase the special education reimbursement rate to 60%.
Overall, Democrats had asked for $1 billion more in special education reimbursements and another $1 billion in new money for general school aid.
