Sen. Dianne Hesselbein’s Commitment to Education in Wisconsin

It all started with a decision to run for a position on her local school board. Wisconsin State Senator Dianne Hesselbein continues her commitment to education two decades after her political career began. It followed a community meeting and comments about segregation in schools that she says went unchecked. Hesselbein describes her initial motivation as a need to challenge this type of behavior. But after serving on the Middleton-Cross Plains School Board, she realized the power of standing up for what’s right, for everyone in Wisconsinites. Hesselbein joins Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show, to discuss why she continues to care about improving the lives of residents in the state.

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Listen to the entire discussion here:

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“Helping people solve their problems is what keeps me in public service,” she explains. “The work is not just about politics, but about making real, tangible differences in people’s lives, whether it’s through local action or state legislation.”

Hesselbein progressed from school board to the Dane County Board to Wisconsin State Assembly and now the Senate. But her focus has always been on serving the people of her district. The Democrat also shares the importance of bipartisanship. She points out recent changes in the state legislature have allowed for more productive conversations with Republican colleagues, despite a continuing divisiveness in state politics. 

“We are working in tandem to help each other,” she says. “There is an increased cooperation between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate after flipping seats in the last election.”

Daun asked about her priorities for the upcoming state budget. Hesselbein remains passionate about education. 

“K through 12 and public universities have been underfunded, and that’s a huge reason we have this $4 billion surplus. It’s time to reinvest in education,” she says. “This comes after years of underfunding from the previous Republican-controlled legislature.” 

Hesselbein is also against efforts by some Republican lawmakers to strip taxpayers of the right to fund local schools through property taxes. She argues rural districts are suffering most from these cuts.

“My job is to serve the people, regardless of who they voted for,” she explains. “I believe meaningful progress can still be made, especially for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable communities.”

Hesselbein’s focus on education and bipartisan collaboration includes hope for the future of Wisconsin.