State Senator Chris Larson (WI)
Recent News About State Senator Chris Larson (WI)
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Wisconsin rejects Trump Administration threats on K-12 funding, says Senator Larson
Senator Chris Larson of Milwaukee has expressed his support for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI) in their rejection of recent actions by the Trump Administration concerning K-12 funding.
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Trump's K-12 education action criticized as contrary to American values
Madison, WI - A recent executive action by the President of the United States on K-12 education has drawn criticism for its perceived alignment with restrictive educational systems.
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Senator supports governor's call for comprehensive gun reform
Madison, WI - In response to Governor Tony Evers' recent State of the State Address, Senator Chris Larson from Milwaukee has expressed his support for the governor's stance on gun reform.
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Wisconsin proposes increased special ed funding parity between public and private schools
Today, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly introduced a significant element of her K-12 education budget proposal for the upcoming two years.
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Senator criticizes proposed changes to University of Wisconsin System
As the Legislative Council Study Committee on the Future of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System wraps up its activities, Senator Chris Larson has voiced concerns about the state's approach to higher education. Larson, a member of the committee and Ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue, highlighted several issues in his statement.
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Senator Larson urges PSC to deny WE Energies' rate hike proposal
State Senator Chris Larson has urged the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject a proposed rate increase from WE Energies, detailed in Docket 5-UR-111. He is also encouraging residents who oppose the increase to voice their opinions through public comments online or by attending one of two scheduled hearings.
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Wisconsin faces funding gap for special education; rise in school referendums
In the 2022-23 school year, Wisconsin's 421 public school districts reported over $2 billion in special education costs. Approximately $1.2 billion of those costs were not reimbursed, leaving local property taxpayers responsible for the shortfall. In 2024, 147 school districts placed operating referendum questions on local ballots, with a combined annual cost of $763 million. Those same districts faced a total of $515.3 million in unreimbursed special education costs in 2022-23.
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State-sanctioned inequity: Special education funding gap fueling rise in district operating referenda across Wisconsin
A significant funding gap in special education services is being implicated as a driving force behind the increasing number of district operating referenda in Wisconsin. Public schools face substantial shortfalls in reimbursement for special education costs, while private schools benefit from a more favorable funding formula. This imbalance in funding has led to a staggering $1.2 billion deficit for Wisconsin districts in the 2022-23 school year.