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The budget unveiled by Governor Jim Doyle Tuesday
night (February 18, 2003) prescribes strong medicine to cure Wisconsin's
financial ills, according to Wisconsin Education Association Council
President Stan Johnson.
"Wisconsin is facing an unprecedented budget
shortfall, and we know program and service cuts are inevitable if we
are to heal the state's problems," Johnson said. "We will
work with the governor and Legislature to ensure the state continues
its commitment to great schools, classrooms that work, and great teachers
and staff."
Johnson said the governor recognizes that every kid
deserves a great school and is making public education a top priority.
"The governor has found a way to balance the
budget and distribute reductions fairly," according to Johnson.
"The proposal to repeal the Qualified Economic Offer law will end
a decade of unfair treatment of teachers. It will also enable educators
to be part of the solution to the state's financial troubles. Teachers
will once again be able to work with school boards to develop innovative
contract language on educational initiatives."
Johnson said WEAC will work to find solutions that
balance the need to eliminate the deficit with the need to preserve
essential state services to school districts and communities.
He called on the Legislature to end the controversy
over unionized state employee contracts.
"The governor's budget includes funds for the
contracts," he said. "The contracts were negotiated in good
faith and provide fair compensation. This issue needs to be resolved
immediately."
Summary of Gov. Doyle's budget plan
Posted February 19, 2003