The hour-long debate, hosted by WISN 12 News in Milwaukee, left voters without specific figures for proposed tax changes or school funding increases, and without a clear blueprint for spending the state’s estimated $3 billion budget surplus. The candidates did agree they would certify the results of the 2028 presidential election.

Crowley has argued that wealthy residents should pay more in income taxes, but named neither a new tax bracket nor a rate. He said he would work with the Legislature to determine what a fair contribution should be. Tiffany said he would not cut taxes generally, while backing a 10% income tax reduction for middle-class earners.

The candidates also offered contrasting but largely undefined approaches to the surplus. Crowley said the money should provide relief and strengthen education, child care and health care, with decisions made alongside lawmakers and municipalities. Tiffany said he wanted to return all of the money to residents through lasting tax relief, rather than one-time checks, but did not explain how he would structure the reductions.

Both candidates say Wisconsin should increase K-12 funding, but neither set a target. Tiffany proposed ending the 2023 measure often called the “400-year veto,” which lets school districts raise property taxes for as long as 400 years, and said leftover budget funds could support schools and local governments. Crowley said additional school funding could come from taxes on high earners and proposed a commission to review the state’s funding system. He also called for higher standards alongside increased spending.

Their answers on private-school vouchers were similarly incomplete. Crowley said he would veto legislation eliminating Milwaukee’s voucher program and said he did not support expanding the statewide program, but did not clearly say whether he would preserve it. Tiffany said he would consider raising the income limits for families to qualify for voucher assistance, without specifying a new threshold.

The candidates also diverged in tone, but not in clarity, on the Wisconsin Elections Commission, the bipartisan body responsible for administering state elections. Tiffany said the commission’s future deserved discussion, but should remain if no clear alternative could take over its responsibilities. Crowley criticized the prospect of changing institutions simply because of political disagreement but did not say directly whether he would keep the commission.

On abortion, Crowley supports a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights. Tiffany said he would uphold Wisconsin’s current law allowing abortion through 20 weeks of pregnancy, and said he would not sign a bill banning abortion once fetal cardiac activity can be detected. He has previously supported a federal proposal to restrict abortion after six weeks. Crowley did not say whether he would sign legislation allowing abortion without gestational limits, saying such decisions should be made by patients and health care providers.

Data center development emerged as another unresolved issue. Crowley has recently backed a pause for environmental reviews required under a settlement, but did not say whether he supports a broader statewide construction moratorium. He said data center regulation would be an early focus of his administration. The debate followed a shift in his position on repealing a sales and use tax exemption for data centers.

The candidates also faced a projected funding gap in BadgerCare, Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. State projections put the shortfall at about $269.2 million by next summer. Tiffany did not offer a way to fill it; Crowley suggested tax revenue from legalizing marijuana could help.

The gaps in the candidates’ answers leave voters with broad promises but limited information about how either administration would turn them into policy. Many of the proposals would also depend on the Legislature, which has authority over state spending and lawmaking.