Senate Education Committee Considers Bill to Repeal QEO

Sen. Robert Jauch (foreground), a member of the Senate Education Committee, challenged Lt. Gov. Scott McCallum, who argued against repealing the Qualified Economic Offer law. McCallum claimed teacher salaries are rising an average of 3.5% per year under the QEO. Jauch (as well as dozens of teachers who spoke later) sharply disputed that number. Jauch also questioned why the administration felt it was appropriate to give raises of up to 22% to top gubernatorial aides while teacher salaries are kept to under 2% per year.

This is one of several teacher panels which appeared before the Senate Education Committee to discuss the need to repeal the QEO law. This panel is made up of (left to right) Diane Hedin, Hayward; Tom Kuziej, Hayward; Sybil Thompson, Turtle Lake; Charlene Newhouse, Hurley; Frank Koehn, Port Wing; and Kathleen Adee, Washburn. They are all from Sen. Jauch's district.

Sen. Kevin Shibilski of Amherst is chief sponsor of the bill to repeal the QEO. "It hurts the quality of education we are able to provide for the children of Wisconsin," he said.