Education is Wisconsin's Top Priority

How a person spends their money is a good indicator of what they value.  I believe the same holds true for state spending.  Looking at a break down of Wisconsin's current two year budget it is clear - IN WISCONSIN, WE VALUE EDUCATION. 

The state's general fund represents the major source of revenue available to fund state programs.  The three main sources of revenue to the fund are income, sales, and corporate taxes.  Here’s a snapshot of the how that money is prioritized. 

General Fund Appropriations by Functional Area

FUNCTIONAL AREA
AMOUNT
%
Education
$13,937,006,900
 49.3%
Human Relations & Resources
8,031,629,000 28.4
Shared Revenue &Tax Relief
3,805,053,200 13.5
All Other
   
   General Executive
795,429,600 2.8
   Environmental Resources
 588,724,300 2.1
   General Appropriations
219,377,500 1.4
   Compensation Reserve
219,377,500 0.8
   Judicial
 225,568,700 0.8
   Legislative
 137,542,300 0.5
   Commerce
 111,943,100 0.4
TOTAL  
$28,255,439,700 100%

Ten Largest General Fund Programs

PROGRAM
AMOUNT
% OF TOTAL
Elementary & Secondary School Aids
$10,699,940,600
37.9%
Medical Assistance
3,357,265,100
11.9
UW System
2,203,350,900
7.8
Shared Revenues
1,904,482,600
6.7
Correctional Operations
1,895,276,700
6.7
School Levy Tax Credit
1,265,450,000
4.5
Community & Juvenile Correctional Services
592,370,400
2.1
Judicial and Legal Services
496,659,000
1.7
Appropriation Obligation Bonds
391,462,400
1.4
State Residential Institutions
347,615,100
1.2
     Subtotal
$23,153,872,800
81.9%
All Other Programs
5,101,566,900
18.1
GRAND TOTAL
$28,255,439,700
100%