Committee Slashes WTCS Funding

The Legislature's budget-writing committee's decision to slash funding for the Wisconsin Technical College System was shortsighted and will prove to cause long-term problems for the entire state, according to WEAC President Stan Johnson.

The Joint Finance Committee Wednesday (April 23, 2003) cut $14.8 million from a program that helps technical colleges train health care workers and respond to the work force needs of private companies.

"Wisconsin's technical colleges benefit everyone in the state," Johnson said. "They fuel Wisconsin's economy, providing a great return on taxpayers' investment. They provide classrooms that work for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin residents seeking education and training for new jobs; or retraining for career advancement. Any reductions to these programs will harm Wisconsin and its economy."

Johnson said technical colleges quickly respond to skilled labor shortages and train people to fill much-needed job vacancies. They are especially important for training and retraining during difficult economic times.

"The program cut by the Joint Finance Committee helps fill critically needed jobs in the health care industry at a time when the economy is suffering and needs trained people," Johnson said. "WEAC calls on the Legislature to restore those funds."

Resource page on 2003-05 state budget

Posted April 25, 2003