Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov
Despite continued national economic turbulence, Wisconsin maintains strong fiscal position, reaching seven consecutive years of record-high General Fund balances during Gov. Evers’ tenure
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that, despite continued economic turbulence caused by President Donald J. Trump’s and Republicans’ erratic trade wars and reckless tariff taxes, Wisconsin has now had seven consecutive years of record-high balances in the state’s checking account during his tenure, wrapping up the recent fiscal year with a staggering $3.3 billion positive balance as the state’s ‘rainy day’ fund hits a record-high $2.1 billion.
“This is damn good news, Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “We’ve worked hard over the last eight years to cut taxes for working families and seniors, deliver historic investments in our kids and schools, expand high-speed internet, fix our roads and bridges, support veterans and farmers, and make child care and healthcare more affordable—and we did all of that while still saving taxpayer dollars where we could, paying down our state’s debt, and staying well within our means. We’ve ended every fiscal year I’ve been governor with a positive balance. We’ve shown that state government can work, and work better for the people we serve, and I’m incredibly proud of our efforts.”
“We’ve proven to Wisconsinites that we don’t have to choose between giving folks more breathing room in their household budgets or investing in our state’s needs to build the future we want for our kids and grandkids—Wisconsin can and must do both,” Gov. Evers concluded.
According to the State Controller’s Office, the state ended fiscal year (FY) 2026 with a positive ending balance of over $3.3 billion in the General Fund—the state’s main checking account—exceeding budgeted estimates by roughly $350 million. Additionally, the balance in the state’s savings account or ‘rainy day’ fund, also known as the Budget Stabilization Fund, which hit a record high under Gov. Evers, has soared to approximately $2.1 billion. This is the largest balance in the ‘rainy day’ fund in state history, which has grown by over $1.75 billion under Gov. Evers’ leadership, more than six times what it was at the end of FY 2018 prior to the governor taking office.
“The prudent fiscal management demonstrated under the guidance of Gov. Evers has been historic for the state of Wisconsin,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. “I am proud of the dedication of this Administration to financial stewardship and accountability to Wisconsin taxpayers.”
The new Annual Fiscal Report, which covers FY 2026 that ended on June 30, 2026, is available on the DOA Annual Fiscal Report page. Highlights of the report include:
- The state’s undesignated General Fund balance at the end of FY 2026 was over $3.3 billion, which was roughly $350 million above budgeted estimates.
- The seven largest ending General Fund balances in state history have all occurred in the seven full fiscal years that Gov. Evers has been in office.
- The current State Budget Stabilization Fund balance increased to roughly $2.07 billion at the end of FY 2026, the largest figure in state history.
- Under Gov. Evers’ tenure, the state’s ‘rainy day’ fund has increased by over $1.75 billion, or more than six times what it was at the end of FY 2018.
- State general fund tax collections in FY 2026 increased by 3.4 percent over the prior year and were two percent higher than estimated.
