Wisconsin Veterans Advocate for Paid State Holiday Status for Veterans Day
Veterans in Wisconsin are advocating for Veterans Day to be officially designated as a paid state holiday for state employees. Although the state recognizes Veterans Day, it is not one of the nine regular paid holidays. Governor Tony Evers proposed…
Madison, WI, November 11, 2026 —
Veterans in Wisconsin are actively campaigning for Veterans Day to be recognized as an official paid state holiday for all state employees. Currently, while the state observes Veterans Day, it is not among the nine designated paid holidays for public sector workers.
The push for this change is gaining momentum as veterans groups seek to elevate the day’s significance beyond a simple observance to a recognized day of paid leave for state workers. This would allow more individuals to participate in ceremonies and reflect on the contributions of service members without impacting their pay or requiring them to use personal time.
Governor Tony Evers had included the proposal to make Veterans Day a paid state holiday in his budget recommendations. This initiative aimed to align the state with the recognition and respect advocated by veterans organizations. However, the proposal faced a significant hurdle when it was removed from the budget by Republicans serving on the state’s budget committee.
The specific reasons for the elimination of the paid holiday proposal by the budget committee were not detailed in the provided summary. The financial implications and budgetary priorities are often factors in such decisions. The advocacy efforts by veterans are expected to continue as they seek to restore the proposal or find alternative legislative pathways to achieve their goal.
The designation of Veterans Day as a paid holiday would impact state employees across Wisconsin, acknowledging their service and providing a dedicated day for public commemoration. The current status means that for many state employees, Veterans Day is a regular workday, potentially limiting participation in community events and observances.
Story summarized from the original created by Kayla See on www.wmtv15news.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
