Over 160 businesses and education leaders in Wisconsin have joined together and written a letter to Gov. Tony Evers, Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, calling on them to invest a portion of the state’s $5.5B budget surplus in Wisconsin’s K-12 education.

Businesses propose the investment specifically address inflationary pressures in maintaining programming and staff and Wisconsin’s reputation for lagging behind the nation in funding support for students with disabilities.

The money, businesses say, will strike a “need to invest in the quality of our K-12 education, with the rich return it provides in developing our future talent, and balance of maintaining the state’s strong fiscal position.”

The full letter – signed by Baird, Brewers Community Foundation, Husco, Milwaukee Bucks, MMAC, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Marquette University, Milwaukee Public Schools and many other businesses, schools and organizations – can be read here.

Additional businesses and educational leaders interested in supporting Wisconsin’s children can sign up here.