| SEARCH OnWEAC |
|---|
Some of the early state budget decisions by members of the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee “raise questions about their priorities” and pose threats to future education funding, Governor Doyle said in a statement released Monday (May 23, 2005).
The committee, controlled by Republicans:
“These early decisions do not bode well as the
Legislature prepares to make perhaps the most important decision affecting
the future of our state - how much money we will invest in our kids’
education,” Doyle said.
He said that one week after legislative leaders found
out they had an extra $350 million in estimated state revenues for the
biennium, they not only spent it all, they “created a new hole
of more than $400 million.”
“They haven't said yet how they will fill that
hole. But the answer is increasingly clear because the only option they
are leaving themselves is to cut education. By the time they finally
get around to the education budget, there may not be any additional
money left to invest in strengthening our schools,” Doyle said.
“My priorities are completely different. I believe supporting education
is the best investment we can make.
“It is not too late for the Legislature to change course – and make kids the priority. I ask them to join me in upholding this core Wisconsin value.”
Doyle's
full statement
Resource page on 2005-07 state budget
Posted May 25, 2005