Doyle Asks Members for Their Continued Involvement

Governor Doyle speaks to WEAC Spring Conference participants, while WEAC Executive Director Michael A. Butera (left) and WEAC Vice President Terry Meyer look on.

Saying he felt like he was "with family," Governor Jim Doyle Saturday (March 1, 2003) thanked WEAC members for the tremendous support they gave him during last fall's election and asked for their continued involvement to keep education in Wisconsin "the best in the world."

"I have declared the war on teachers is over," Doyle told more than 400 members assembled at the WEAC Spring Conference in Milwaukee. "But unfortunately, we still have some mopping up skirmishes that still have to be fought."

Doyle received a standing ovation when he reminded members that his first state budget plan includes repeal of the Qualified Economic Offer law, which has stripped teachers of their collective bargaining rights. He also said that, although he was forced to make drastic cuts to overcome a $3.2 billion deficit, he did everything he could to find as much money as possible to keep the state's commitment to children and education.

"I know you will agree with me on this . Our kids shouldn't have to pay for Madison's mistakes with their futures," he said. "I wish I could have found more money for education," said Doyle, whose budget adds $100 million in school aids but falls short of the state's previous commitment of two-thirds funding of school costs.

Nonetheless, education fared better than most other areas, he said, predicting a big fight in the Legislature over education funding.

"I hope I can count on you and your support throughout this budget process," he said.

Doyle said it is extremely important that the tribal gaming compacts he recently negotiated remain in place because they generate nearly $250 million in additional revenue for the state. Without that income, he said, legislators will have to either raise taxes or cut that much more out of state funding, and they likely will target education money.

"We have worked at an agreement that is good for the tribes and good for the state," he said.

In other comments, Doyle:

• Said last November's election "was a statement by the people of Wisconsin that they support education in Wisconsin and want a governor who supports public education." He also said WEAC members "were the heart and soul of the campaign."
• Said that everywhere he goes in Wisconsin, people express appreciation for their public school teachers and education support professionals. "This state loves its educators, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise," he said.
• Blamed the previous administrations and Legislatures for overspending and failure to create a "rainy day fund" for the current budget crisis. "We are left to do the difficult job that should have been done in years past. . If the Legislature had done half of what I have done last year, we would not be in the mess we are in today."
• Said his budget plan reflects his dedication to education, as well as his priorities of health care, police and fire protection, and the environment.
• Criticized the overemphasis on testing that is included in the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, sometimes called the "No Child Left Behind" act. "It is not a test out of Washington that will ensure that no child is left behind, it is having great schools in Wisconsin," Doyle said.
• Said the task force on education funding that he has promised to appoint will include "every group affected," including teachers and education support professionals.
• Blasted the QEO law, saying it is unfair to teachers and is making it more difficult to attract bright, young people to the profession or to keep our great teachers in the profession. That makes the QEO both a fairness issue and a quality of education issue, he said. "You deserve the right to a decent, honorable compensation for what you do," he said. "Teachers need to be treated for what they are - professionals who are highly trained and deeply committed to our kids."
• Plugged the Community Connections program, which is coordinated by First Lady Jessica Doyle, a Madison educator who accompanied the governor. The initiative encourages greater community commitment to our middle schools.

Education is ingrained in Oneida culture, Danforth says