State Budget is Victory for Public Education, Children

“Children and public education are winners in the state budget,” WEAC President Terry Craney said Wednesday. “The Legislature and governor put partisanship aside and made children and their futures a top priority in the budget the governor will sign this weekend.”

Governor Thompson announced Tuesday he would not veto most pro-public education initiatives in the budget.

Additional funding for two class size reduction programs, some relief from revenue controls, and the $200 million TEACH initiative for technology will all remain in the state budget.

The governor said he would partially veto provisions that adjust revenue controls for inflation and declining enrollments.

“WEAC members deserve thanks for their efforts to make the budget a pro-public education document,” Craney said. “Members contacted legislators and the governor to make sure items that benefit children were included.”

Craney said expanding the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program and increasing funds for the Preschool to Grade Five (P-5) program would benefit needy children in low-income areas throughout Wisconsin.

“These two class size reduction programs will have long-term benefits for more children, thanks to the budget,” Craney said. “Research has consistently shown that reducing class size improves student performance.”

Craney said WEAC is disappointed the governor will veto a provision making the Qualified Economic Offer law more equitable, and will not veto charter school language from the budget.

“Overall, public education is well served in this budget,” Craney said. “The next step is to improve on what we have accomplished so far.”

Posted October 8, 1997