MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican co-chair of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee says he would like to see funding for public schools increase $75 per student. Rep. John Nygren told The Associated Press on Monday that Republicans were discussing that idea and others in advance of the Joint Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday to vote on K-12 funding and expanding private school vouchers. Public school advocates are calling for an increase in funding, and Nygren says that is his goal. Nygren also says a plan to fashion the voucher program after public school open enrollment “makes some sense.” The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates such a move would cost public schools about $48 million over the next two years. Public school advocates have been calling on lawmakers to increase funding.
