State superintendent statement on SCOWI decision

MADISON —State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today released the following statement in the wake of the 6-1 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Marklein v. Evers, rejecting legislative efforts to arrogate executive powers. Months ago, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed, and Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill allocating $50 million to implement 2023 Wisconsin Act 20, the bipartisan legislation reforming and improving literacy education in Wisconsin. However, the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance has refused to release those funds, including failing to include consideration of the release of the funds in a Section 13.10 meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

 

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a clear message to the Legislature that now is the time to refocus our energy on the needs of kids. The Joint Finance Committee should immediately release the $50 million we already agreed to spend – in a bipartisan fashion – to improve literacy education and help children learn to read, so they can read to learn. There can be no further delay, as local schools need to be ready to go on the first day of school. As I’ve said before, our kids are the ones who pay the price when adults hold students hostage and keep playing political games.”