Lieutenant Governor Lawton Speaks About JFC Budget Proposal

By Jesslyn Kuekan
WEAC summer intern

Wisconsin's Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton joined Janesville Superintendent Tom Evert, local school district administrators, school board members, parents and educators at Wilson Elementary School in Janesville Wednesday (June 15, 2005) to discuss the effects of potential cuts to education funding.

Governor Doyle introduced a budget proposal in February that offered a historic $850 million investment in public education. The proposal also included an increase in funding for the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program and provides $16 million increase in pupil transportation aid over the biennium, directing greater increases to school districts with larger geographic areas and longer travel distances.

The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee rewrote Governor Doyle's budget proposal and left education at the bottom of the priority list, Lawton said. "There is a clear sign that they are far more interested in playing politics with special interest groups than doing what is right."

If the JFC budget becomes law, the Wisconsin public school system faces a $400 million cut, the largest in decades. The Janesville school system would face cuts up to $4.3 million. "In Wisconsin and our nation, children should be our priority. We will do everything in our power to support education and freeze taxes," Lawton said.

Lawton encouraged citizens to speak to their legislators. "This is a time where we need to invite good citizens to take part in making good decisions for the state government," she said.

The JFC proposal will go to the Assembly next week, and then to Senate before returning to the governor for possible vetos.

WEAC President Stan Johnson is urging members to speak their concerns to elected officials directly through the OnWEAC Cyberlobby.

Resource page on the 2005-07 state budget

Posted June 15, 2005