Opposition to public school referendums is on the rise after a newly released poll found that a sizable majority of voters would oppose a referendum in their area if it was proposed.
The recently released poll, conducted by Marquette Law School found that 57% of Wisconsin voters would oppose a public school referendum.
The result represents a marked increase in opposition to increased education spending after a poll conducted in June found that 52% of voters would support a referendum.
Even in more Democratic-leaning areas, voters have expressed fatigue with increased property taxes as an Embold Research poll conducted this month found that 57% of Milwaukee area voters would support further consolidating schools before supporting another property tax increase.
“People have gotten more concerned about school spending and property taxes in particular,” Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin said. (RELATED: Billionaire Illinois Governor Pritzker Pockets Over A Million In Gambling Winnings)
Wisconsin legislators have already started to respond to the increased demand for taxpayer accountability, with some proposing further consolidation of school districts and more stringent financial reporting requirements.
State Representative Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie filed a bill that would require to file required financial paperwork before asking residents in the school district for more funding through referendums.
“I don’t think that asking districts to comply to basic requirements already required of them is any kind of punishment,” Nedweski said.
While there is growing frustration with increased property taxes, Franklin warned that the most recent poll sample by Marquette Law School may be a ‘fluke’ due to the dramatic swing in public opinion.
“This is one to keep an eye on to see if this trend continues or it’s just a fluke of this sample,” Franklin said. (RELATED: Universities of Wisconsin Board Moves to Slash DEI Course Requirement)
