Wisconsin State Budget Roundup
After many negotiations, Governor Evers and the Republican-led Legislature agreed upon a state budget for 2025-27 – here’s what’s in it (and what’s not) for our lakes and surface waters
By Wisconsin Lakes staff
Governor Evers recently signed into law the 2025-2027 state budget. The Governor and Legislators arrived at an agreement on key provisions days before the end of the state’s fiscal year on June 30, the first time in some time that the Governor and Legislature agreed upon the budget terms prior to its passage.
The long bill, which covers almost all state spending over its two years, features three fairly significant elements in regards to clean water.
Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund
The Stewardship Fund, an extremely popular and bipartisan land acquisition and protection fund for the state was neither funded nor reauthorized in the budget despite its popularity. Some legislators indicated there will be attempts to continue the fund through separate legislation, but it’s future is hanging by the thinnest of threads. You can learn more about the fund and how you can get involved at this website hosted by our partner organization Gathering Waters.
County Conservation Department Funding
For the first time in a very long time, the state will meet it’s statutory obligations to fund positions in county conservation departments across Wisconsin. State statutes require funding from the state cover 100, 70, and 50 percent of the salaries of the first three employees in conservation departments. This funding increase is only in place for the current budget, so without legislative action in the next budget, funding would revert to 2018 levels, but this is a positive result nonetheless.
Safe Water Drinking Funds
Though not surface water related, two programs that help ensure Wisconsinites are provided safe drinking water saw the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee vote increase their funding by $723 million!
Other budget items related to water:
- While the budget eliminates a number of Department of Natural Resources staff positions that have been vacant over twelve months, it is not believed any of these staff reductions impact staffing related to surface waters
- Two lakes in Burlington were awarded a total of $15 million for dredging and dam repairs
- Green Lake Association was award $250,000 towards reducing phosphorus in the lake