Senate Asks For More ESEA Funding

In one of the final actions of its 2003-04 regular session, the Republican-controlled Senate unanimously adopted a resolution strongly urging the state not to appropriate any state funds for implementing the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act that would not otherwise have been expended for public education under existing state education laws.

The ESEA is often referred to by the Bush administration as the “No Child Left Behind” law.

The language was added as an amendment to a Republican-authored resolution that urges members of the Congress from Wisconsin and other officials to work on securing more federal funds for state residents.

The ESEA language was authored by Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point). It specifically asks the Department of Public Instruction to submit a proposal describing new ESEA-related rules – and potential costs to local school districts – before adopting them. The resolution also asked DPI to submit a statement of the financial costs of complying with the ESEA.

The resolution states that the law’s requirements “have the potential to interfere severely with state and local legislative and education administration prerogatives and to cost the state of Wisconsin considerably more to implement than the amount of federal grants it receives, thereby placing a major burden on the state’s strained financial resources.”

Subcontracting bill OK’d

As the session came to end, legislators pushed through dozens of bills, including a measure (AB 598) that makes subcontracting a permissive – rather than mandatory – subject of bargaining. WEAC strongly opposed this measure.

Under the bill, school districts could unilaterally decide to subcontract jobs that are currently held by education employees. The measure was sent to Governor Doyle.

“It is critical for WEAC members to let Governor Doyle know this proposal would inflict severe damage on Wisconsin’s great public schools, teachers and staff,” WEAC President Stan Johnson said.

Members can use OnWEAC’s Cyberlobby – which also provides background and talking points – to contact the governor and ask him to veto the bill. The Cyberlobby also includes information and updates on other legislation and bills signed or vetoed by the governor.

Other legislation

The Legislature also sent to the governor two bills – SB 384 and SB 451 – authorizing technical college districts to issue revenue bonds to provide services and facilities to business as part of the new “Wisconsin Advantage Jobs Training Program.” The proposal raised many concerns for technical colleges and employees.

Although the regular session ended, the Legislature could call itself back into “extraordinary session” this spring or summer. Topics could include:

• Changing the State Constitution to restrict the ability of government to raise taxes and fund programs. This is known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). If adopted, this constitutional amendment would cause long-term, irreparable harm to Wisconsin’s great schools. It would require passage by two legislative sessions and approval in a statewide referendum.
• Imposing stricter revenue caps on school districts. This would be done as part of a Republican property tax freeze bill that would be in effect pending action on TABOR. The new revenue cap levels would cause immediate and massive damage to schools.
• Implementing health care cost containment measures. WEAC strongly supports efforts to curb rising health care costs but will actively lobby to protect members’ right to bargain health decisions locally.

Posted March 19, 2004