State officials are patiently awaiting Gov. Jim Doyle's upcoming state budget proposal and the effects it will have on public education throughout Wisconsin.
In his State of the State speech given last Wednesday, Doyle emphasized the importance of public education, pledging to increase aid. However, Doyle provided no specifics of his plan. Presently the state is faced with a $1.6 billion deficit, and Doyle has assured the public taxes will not be raised.
The recent past has seen the state lower its coverage of public education, accepting 63 percent of the total cost, down from two-thirds. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, to preserve state funding, $600 million would be needed over the next two years. However, property taxes often rise to compensate for budgetary loss.
Specific concerns arise regarding higher education. State funding has continually waned and universities state-wide have felt the effects. UW-Madison has seen class options sliced and tuition increased.
Doyle continues to assure the public that he is concerned with the best interest of those within the UW System.
Melanie Fonder, press secretary for the governor said, \Gov. Doyle is committed to providing more state support to the
University of Wisconsin System, adding faculty to improve quality and increasing financial aid.""
Fonder added that within the budget is a proposal that would supply a larger tax reduction for tuition to be utilized by middle class families. Those families currently eligible for $3,000 in assistance could receive as much as $5,000 under the new plan.
It is difficult for officials to comment on Doyle's plan since the proposal will not be submitted to the Legislature until Feb. 8. State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said, ""Until (Doyle) comes down with budget specifics it is difficult to do anything but speculate.""
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, acknowledged the university has taken a financial ""hit"" and that students have paid the price. He referred to the level of tuition increases and the cuts in funding as ""unacceptable.""
Although the plans are yet to be seen, both Risser and Black said the new budget will not affect higher education as severely as in previous years.
