Beyond the finger-pointing, the real casualties of the failed surplus deal are Wisconsin kids

A proposed deal to boost Wisconsin special education funding and cut property taxes collapsed after advocates discovered the funding guarantees were not as promised, leading to criticism of the plan's tax giveaways and insufficient long-term solutions for school funding. The agreement, which included $300 million in general school aid and an $870 million income tax rebate, was projected to create a $3 billion state deficit, with critics arguing it prioritized tax cuts over addressing systemic school budget shortfalls.