Groups Urge Wisconsin Leaders on Health, Schools

Local advocates laid out priorities for newly elected state officials after more than 2.6 million Wisconsinites cast ballots.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Groups Urge Wisconsin Leaders on Health, Schools

Live Poll

Should Wisconsin's state government prioritize public schools and healthcare costs?

Citizen Action of Wisconsin and other local groups gathered Monday morning in Eau Claire to call on newly elected state leaders to act on rising healthcare costs and underfunded public schools. Eau Claire School District President Stephanie Farrar called for ending local funding referendums for basic school operations.

Why it matters

The priorities outlined reflect pressure on state lawmakers to address healthcare affordability and school funding as they take office. The call follows a statewide election in which more than 2.6 million Wisconsinites voted.

More than 2.6 million Wisconsinites cast ballots in the most recent election, the figure cited by advocates as the backdrop for their priorities. No vote margins or prior-cycle comparisons were provided in the source extraction.

The players

Citizen Action of Wisconsin

A statewide advocacy organization that works on economic and social justice issues, including healthcare access and public services.

Stephanie Farrar

President of the Eau Claire School District, who has publicly argued against relying on local referendums to fund basic school operations.

The details

Local groups including Citizen Action of Wisconsin gathered Monday morning to lay out priorities for the state's new leaders. Named priorities include ending the state sales tax exemption for data centers, expanding BadgerCare, and overhauling the prison system.

Timeline

  1. Nov. 2: Statewide election held, with more than 2.6 million Wisconsinites voting.

  2. Nov. 9: Local groups gathered in Eau Claire to call on newly elected leaders to act.

Political Context

Advocates are pressing for state-level school funding solutions as Wisconsin districts continue to rely on local referendums for basic operations. The call to end that reliance pushes against the status quo that has let districts seek voter-approved local funding instead.

Wisconsin residents face ongoing questions about healthcare costs and school funding that newly elected state leaders may be asked to address. The priorities named by advocates could affect public school budgets and access to BadgerCare coverage.

The takeaway

Voters are increasingly turning to advocacy groups to press specific policy demands after elections. Residents who want to follow these priorities can track how state lawmakers respond to healthcare, school funding, and prison reform proposals.

Further reading

Explore more coverage in Civic Engagement to see how residents are shaping Wisconsin policy priorities.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Weau.

Live Poll

Should Wisconsin's state government prioritize public schools and healthcare costs?