Doyle To Sign Budget Tomorrow?

[Dinger]

I read it on a Dem. Party Of Wi. newsletter I got. I heard about his UW budget ci=ut veto, the stewardship fund veto, etc. , but I did not hear about the sickening, school-killing budget cuts of the pugs. What is going on with that?

[sybylla]

1. Doyle's office hasn't said a word about the public school cuts

There was some discussion at the meeting Doyle held in Wausau that he may not be able to restore the one per-pupil cut to public schools. It depended on how it was worded.

We're watching that one pretty closely in my household and nothing has been said. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be the centerpiece of his final announcements today.

[Dinger]

2. I Just Called His Office & I Got The Idea

that he MIGHT be saving that announcement for today. Crossing my fingers too . . .

[shoelace414]

3. he was on Sunday Night with Mike Gousha

he said he woudl sign it, but he also removed the cuts to education the republicans put in the budget.

Mike asked about how the pukes say he;s just moved money around, he responded he's Making decisions, or something like that.

[Broca]

4. He'll be in Wausau tomorrow.

Come Join Gov. Doyle as he discusses the 2005-07 Budget.

DATE: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - TOMORROW!!

TIME: 12:30 p.m - Gov. arrives
12:15 p.m. - gates open

LOCATION: Pleasant View Park - Wausau
12th and Sumner St.
(3 blocks North of Townline Rd.)
Wausau

[mgnk99]

5. UW Funding....

hopefully its a push in his budget..or else our college system will go to hell...and that would be a shame..

[sybylla]

6. I agree, it would be a shame.

This is a copy of the press release from the Gov's office on vetoes of cuts in UW system funding. If what he says is true, he did a pretty good job with what was handed to him. Now we need to get him at least one Democratic house (in addition to reelected) so the next budget will be much more to our liking.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005 – Governor Doyle Press Release

LA CROSSE, MADISON & MILWAUKEE - Governor Doyle announced today that he will use his veto pen to remove provisions from the state budget that were added by the Republican Legislature and would be harmful to the University of Wisconsin System. Governor Doyle made the announcement at news conferences at UW-La Crosse, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Madison. Lt. Governor Lawton also outlined the announcement at news conferences at UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Stevens Point.

Restoring Financial Aid

Despite a $1.6 billion deficit, Governor Doyle's budget made the University a priority. Governor Doyle added significant new funding for the UW System, including $11 million for financial aid. The budget required that the University System cut 200 administrators, but used the money to add 120 new teaching faculty directly into the classrooms. The budget presented by the Republican controlled Legislature cut $50 million from the UW System, including completely eliminating the $11 million financial aid increase, as well as the new faculty positions. Later, Republicans tacked on another $35 million cut as part of a last-minute budget amendment.

Governor Doyle said he would be able to use his partial veto power to restore $8 million of the $11 million increase he proposed in his budget for financial aid. Expanding access to higher education will strengthen our economy, as individuals of all backgrounds and incomes have the opportunity to receive the next level of education they need to get ahead in the world and secure a good, family-supporting job.

&qu ot;As Governor, I can't do everything that I'd like with my partial veto power. But I'm going to do all that I can to protect student from these cuts," Governor Doyle said. "All around the country, the cost of a college education is going up, and we need to do everything we can to keep higher education affordable for Wisconsin families from all walks of life. Any deserving student who earns his or her way into a UW school shouldn't be denied an education because they can't afford it."

The Governor noted that with this veto, he would achieve his goal of doubling the state's commitment to financial aid over his four year term as Governor.

Ensuring Strong State Support for the UW-System

Governor Doyle said he would use his veto pen to restore the nearly $35 million that Republicans cut as a last minute budget amendment.

"This was a senseless cut that would have had a serious effect on the education our students receive, Governor Doyle said. "It would also hurt economic development and important research."

Expanding the Tuition Tax Deduction

In his budget, Governor Doyle proposed an expansion of the tax deduction for college tuition, allowing families to deduct college costs up to the average price of tuition in the UW-System. This year the deduction would amount to approximately $5,000. The Governor commended the Legislature for approving his proposal, and will include it in the final budget.

"It's just common sense, Governor Doyle said. "I believe we should have a tax code that helps families afford the cost of college, instead of making it harder."

The tax deduction can be used for any of Wisconsin's four-year colleges and universities, and also to deduct the cost of a two-year degree or a technical college education. It can help students going straight from high school to college, or those re turning to school as an adult to get their degree. The tax deduction is available to all students, whether they attend a public or private institution.

Protecting Pension Increases for UW Staff and Faculty

Governor Doyle also said that he would veto a provision, also included in the last-minute budget amendment, that cuts UW staff and faculty salaries by 1.5 percent. If allowed to stand, the Republican action would make it harder to attract new teaching staff - and it would be an incentive for great professors and researchers to leave the state.

"This was passed with no debate, no hearings, and no thought given about the effect this would have on our great University system as it tries to attract the best and brightest minds to teach our students,
Governor Doyle said. "It makes no sense, and will be vetoed."

Governor Doyle reiterated his support for the University System, and vowed to sign a budget with strong state support for the UW System.

"Supporting our University System and making college more affordable is one of the best investments we can make in Wisconsin's future," Governor Doyle said. "When I sign the budget next week, I am going to make sure that our great University remains the priority."

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