Kenosha Reporter

Rep. Ben DeSmidt said Democrats proposed "free meals" for students to "save" families money, but Republicans rejected it, and that "partisanship" should end for the sake of "children's futures." The statement was made in a Facebook post on February 19, 2025.

"Democrats introduced an amendment on the floor to provide breakfast and lunch for all students, saving the average family $154 a month per child," said DeSmidt, according to Facebook. "However, Republicans unfortunately rejected the proposal and pushed an agenda which results in no savings and more problems for Wisconsin families. Let's stop the partisanship and start prioritizing our children's future the right way."

The "Healthy School Meals for All" bill, introduced by Wisconsin Democrats, seeks to provide free breakfast and lunch to all K-12 students in the state, regardless of family income. According to the Wisconsin Education Association Council, this initiative aims to ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals during the school day.

Rep. Ben DeSmidt's post | Facebook

The proposal was debated in the Wisconsin Assembly on February 19, 2025. Democrats argued that implementing this program could save the average family approximately $150 per month per child or $1,800 annually by reducing grocery costs. As reported by Wispolitics, Republicans unanimously voted against the bill due to concerns about its cost and potential impact on the state budget.

According to a report by the Badger Institute, opponents of the proposed universal free school meals bill argue that Wisconsin already has programs ensuring low-income students receive free or reduced-price meals. They contend that expanding the program to all students would primarily benefit middle- and high-income families while significantly increasing state costs, estimated between $120 million and $294 million.