Candidates Put Public Education First
The October 14 Political Fair in Sun Prairie brought together some of
the strongest supporters of public education in the state.
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, gubernatorial candidate Ed Garvey, congressional
candidate Tammy Baldwin (2nd District), and eight legislators or legislative
candidates spoke enthusiatically about the success of Wisconsin public
schools and the need to increase support for them by electing pro-education
candidates on November 3.
“I want you to know that, for me, standing up for public education
has been one of the greatest pleasures of the 16 years I have served,”
Feingold said.
Feingold said he often uses Wisconsin’s proven Student Achievement
Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program as a model of a school improvement
program that really works. SAGE, he said, “works like a wonder.”
“Teachers and students all over this state are smiling because of
it, and I have introduced a bill in Congress – the National SAGE
Act – to make more of that happen.”
Garvey said that when it comes to public education, “Tommy Thompson
has abandoned ship.”
He said the Qualified Economic Offer law and school district revenue
controls – laws promulgated by Thompson – are undermining schools
and must be repealed.
“This isn’t for show,” Garvey said of the election. “We
cannot afford four more years (of Governor Thompson) because public education
is at stake.”
The state needs leaders, he said, who respect teachers.
Jon Erpenbach, a candidate for the hotly contested 27th District State
Senate seat in Dane County, applauded WEAC members for making Wisconsin
public schools the best in the nation.
“We have to stop bashing our schools and our teachers,” he
said of public officials. “We have to give you the resources you
need and let you do your job.”
 Black |
Baldwin said as a member of Congress she will fight for public education,
Social Security, Medicare, long-term care, equal pay for equal work, clean
air and water, and a secure retirement for all.
Others who appeared at the Political Fair were Reps. Spencer Black (AD77),
Tom Hebl (AD46), and Dave Travis (AD81); Assembly candidates Art Cresson
(AD79), Mark Miller (AD48), and Mark Pocan (AD78); and Senate Democratic
Leader Chuck Chvala.
The fair was sponsored by Capital Area UniServ North and South and a
variety of labor organizations.
Posted October 15, 1997