WI State Representative Angelina Cruz

05/09/2026

Today marks the opening day of the new Racine Farmers Market On The Lake , and we’re excited to welcome this new addition to Racine’s lakefront and downtown community.

Residents and visitors can shop the market Saturdays through October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Festival Park, 5 Fifth Street.

The market features more than 60 vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, artisan foods, flowers, handcrafted items, and more . . . all set along Racine’s lakefront with live music and family-friendly activities throughout the season.

We wish the Racine Farmers Market on the Lake a successful first season and encourage everyone to stop down, support local vendors, and enjoy a Saturday morning on the lakefront.

📍Festival Park, 5 5th Street
🗓 Saturdays through October
⏰ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
🌐 www.racinefarmersmarket.com

05/09/2026

AB 1176 funds public schools and lowers property taxes & has the full support of Assembly Democrats and communities across the state.

05/09/2026

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been honored to work alongside my colleagues, including Wisconsin State Representative Greta Neubauer, State Rep. Karen DeSanto, and Rep. Christian Phelps, to hold conversations with communities across Wisconsin about the direct connection between public school funding and rising property taxes.

In Racine, Rep. Neubauer and I convened a roundtable with education advocates, school leaders, parents, and community members to hear firsthand about the pressures facing our public schools and local taxpayers. I also joined Rep. DeSanto in her district, along with Rep. Phelps, for an education funding panel focused on how Assembly Bill 1176 can provide meaningful relief for Wisconsin families while strengthening our public schools.

What we heard was consistent across every conversation: Wisconsinites are tired of being forced to choose between adequately funding schools and keeping property taxes affordable. Families, educators, and taxpayers from communities large and small are demanding a long-term solution that invests in classrooms, supports students, and reduces the burden on local property taxpayers.

Assembly Bill 1176 is designed to meet that moment. The legislation would increase the state’s investment in public education, provide stronger support for special education funding, and reduce the reliance on local property taxes to fund our schools. By addressing the root causes of repeated school referendums and funding shortfalls, AB 1176 responds directly to the concerns we heard from communities across Wisconsin.

This proposal already has the support of every Assembly Democrat and a broad coalition of educators, parents, local leaders, and taxpayers who understand that the current system is unsustainable. Wisconsin families cannot afford another cycle of property tax increases, school cuts, and financial uncertainty for districts.

Now, action is needed from the leaders who have the power to move this legislation forward: Governor Evers, Rep. Vos, and Sen. LeMahieu. Wisconsin currently sits on a multi-billion-dollar stockpile of money stolen from our public schools and the kids and communities of WI - while those same schools and property taxpayers continue to struggle. AB 1176 offers a responsible path forward by using a portion of those resources to invest in students, stabilize school funding, and provide real property tax relief.

I encourage everyone who believes in strong public schools and lower property taxes to contact Governor Evers, Speaker Vos, and Majority Leader LeMahieu and urge them to support and advance the responsible plan outlined in Assembly Bill 1176. The challenges facing Wisconsin communities are clear, and the solution is already on the table.

04/30/2026

An injury to one is an injury to all.

Today, I joined New Mexico State Representative Eleanor Chávez and 113 legislators from 23 states in signing a multi-state letter opposing the Department of Labor’s proposed rule on worker classification.

Thanks in particular to my eleven other Wisconsin colleagues who signed on: Rep. Brienne D. Brown, Wisconsin State Representative Francesca Hong, WI State Representative Angelina Cruz, Rep. Stroud, State Representative Karen Kirsch, State Representative Vincent Miresse, StateRep. Christine Sinicki, Representative Darrin Madison, Senator Chris Larson, Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Ratcliff, and Senator Jeff Smith

The Department of Labor projects its proposed rule would increase the number of workers classified as independent contractors by 250,000 to 750,000 -- threatening the financial integrity of unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and public safety nets that millions of Americans depend on.

This rule will undemocratically strip hundreds of thousands of workers of their rights. Anyone who cares about worker protections should oppose it, full stop.

SEE COMMENTS for a link to the full letter + sign ons!

04/26/2026

If you’ve been wondering what’s taking shape along Main Street next to the Racine Zoo at Lakeview Park — here’s your first look.

The City of Racine, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department is leading the installation of this new playground as Phase 1 of a multi-year plan to reimagine and improve the park.

More updates are on the way, but this is where it begins!

04/11/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2026
Contact: Representative Angelina Cruz
(608) 237-9162 | [email protected]

Failing Referendums Highlight Decades of GOP Education Funding Failures

Madison — Following Tuesday’s election, Representative Angelina Cruz (D-Racine), a long-time public school teacher, criticized Republican lawmakers after several school referendums failed, leaving districts facing severe cuts and possible closures.

“They knew where this was headed,” Cruz said. “Who will explain to children why their schools are closing while public funds are diverted to private schools? It’s heartbreaking to see students uncertain about their future and infuriating to read news about children in tears.”

District leaders must now consider staff and program cuts, school closures, consolidation, or even dissolution. “This means fewer opportunities for our future generations,” Cruz added, citing the state’s constitutional obligation to fund public education and the 2000 Vincent v. Voight ruling affirming that duty.

While most referendums passed statewide, Cruz noted many communities are strained. “People value public schools, but rising costs make it harder to ask more from taxpayers already struggling.”

Cruz highlighted her recent proposals, including the Phelps-Cruz plan (AB 1176) and the “Keep Our Promise on Special Education Reimbursement” bill (AB 859), as targeted solutions to the funding gap. “Any discussion about how to use the surplus should focus on investing in our neglected public schools while easing the burden on local property taxpayers. And that’s exactly what our plan does.”

“If there’s a silver lining, it’s growing awareness,” Cruz said. “Rising property taxes are tied to the state’s failure to fund public education - while still subsidizing private schools. That’s wrong, and it always has been.”

# # #

Representative Cruz was elected in the 2024 general election. She represents the 62nd Assembly District, covering parts of Racine, Wind Point, North Bay, Caledonia, and Mount Pleasant.

04/07/2026

🗳️It’s ELECTION DAY! 🗳️
Be sure to check out myvote.wi.gov for details on where to vote and who is on your ballot.

03/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2026
Contact: Representative Angelina Cruz
(608) 237-9162 | [email protected]

ROUNDTABLE: PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AND PROPERTY TAXES

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

Members of the media are invited to observe a roundtable discussion on public school funding and property taxes with officials from Kenosha and Racine. State Representatives Angelina Cruz (D- Racine) and Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) will host the conversation, 3:45pm to 5pm at The Branch at 1501, 1501 Washington Avenue, Racine. Media access should be available from 3:30pm.


Public school funding and property tax relief are top of mind for many around the state. The Marquette Poll recently posed a question to respondents with public school funding and property relief as separate goals. This discussion among state lawmakers, local elected officials, and including the perspectives of public school administrators, teachers, and parents will delve into the connections between these complex issues.

WHAT: Roundtable on Public School Funding and Property Taxes

WHO: KUSD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Weiss

Racine Mayor Cory Mason

RUSD Superintendent Soren Gajewski

RUSD Board of Education President Mrs. Jane Barbian

RUSD Special Education Teacher Kari Schaefer

State Rep. Angelina Cruz, 61st Assembly District

State Rep. Greta Neubauer, 66th Assembly District

WHEN: 3:45 - 5:00 PM, Wednesday, March 25

WHERE: The Branch at 1501
1501 Washington Avenue, Racine

03/21/2026

“So, in our bill, we put at 60%, special ed reimbursement,” said Rep. Angela Stroud, a democrat for Ashland. “For Superior School District, that’s $2.4 million dollars.”

Rep. Stroud said the bill would also prevent automatic increases to voucher payments, which gives private schools state dollars from public school budgets.

Bill in the comments. ⬇️
It would mean $13M for Racine Unified School District.

This week, assembly democrats introduced a bill that would use the state’s surplus to lower property taxes and help fund schools.

03/16/2026

The legislation I’ve introduced with Rep. Christian Phelps will provide meaningful property tax relief while strengthening Wisconsin’s public schools.

Our proposal uses a portion of the state’s surplus to:
• Increase general school aid by $445 million for the 2026–27 school year
• Raise special education reimbursement to 60%, helping districts cover one of their fastest-growing costs
• Reduce the pressure on local property taxpayers who have been asked to make up the difference for too long

School leaders, educators, and families across Wisconsin have been clear: our public schools need stable, reliable support. By increasing the state’s share of school funding, we can support our classrooms and ease the burden on property taxpayers.

This is a practical, fiscally responsible step toward meeting Wisconsin’s constitutional commitment to public education and giving our communities the stability they deserve.

I’m proud to work on solutions that support our schools and deliver real relief for taxpayers.