Legislators' Early Budget Votes Raise questions about education funding, Doyle says
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:
- Cut in half the additional money Doyle included in his budget to
support and recruit foster parents.
- Eliminated the ombudsman that he proposed for the child welfare
system.
- Gutted the governor’s incentive plan to improve child care
centers.
- Voted to raise copayments on child care.
“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