NEWS
Doyle announces $225 million plan for higher education
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Also by Keegan Kyle:
- Nothing to complain about? (December 12, 2007)
- Recruiting isn't easy on campus (December 7, 2007)
- Doyle set to sign off on ethics (February 2, 2007)
- Volunteerism on the road (October 19, 2007)
- Down and dirty on campus sanitation (October 11, 2007)
Related Stories:
- System fears cuts still deep (October 12, 2007)
- Doyle vows to increase aid (February 7, 2007)
- Budget aims to improve health care in state (February 14, 2007)
- Doyle to propose UW investments (February 13, 2007)
- UW: Let's see it in ink, Doyle (February 1, 2007)
by Keegan Kyle
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
As Gov. Jim Doyle officially announced $225 million toward higher education in his budget Tuesday, University of Wisconsin System officials began working on a strategy to convince lawmakers that the investment is worth every penny.
The governor's proposed two-year budget would grant the UW Board of Regents $21 million to completely fund its proposed Growth Agenda for Wisconsin, which is a compilation of projects across UW System schools aimed to increase enrollment, four-year college degrees and financial aid, among other things.
"The first step is understanding the details [of the budget]," said UW System spokesperson David Giroux. "Really the most important step [is] … convincing [lawmakers] that this is a plan that will benefit taxpayers … in every corner of the state."
The majority of the proposed $225 million, according to Doyle's staff, would be used by public and private universities to re-estimate debt, pay continuing operational costs and offset rising fuel and utilities costs.
Another part of the $225 million would also create an office in charge of the Wisconsin Covenant program, which promises eligible high school students admission to a UW System school and financial aid. Doyle budgeted $44 million in financial aid for the program.
Although the Board of Regents would have control over tuition increases depending on staff and other expenditures, Doyle recommended a "modest" 4 percent increase annually.
Doyle also proposed granting $10 million to UW-Madison to help retain high-demand faculty, who may take graduate students as well as millions of dollars in grant money to other institutions.
"That's a separate pot of money … that's really important, especially for UW-Madison," Giroux said. "In many cases, it's a very good investment for the university."
Hoping to aid staff retention, Doyle proposed expanding health insurance benefits to all domestic partners of state employees. According to Doyle staff, the additional benefits would be covered by current fringe benefits.
The benefits were proposed by Doyle in the last budget and removed by a Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee, citing a lack of funding.
State Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, who sits on the bipartisan Joint Finance Committee this year, said the UW System will need to show it deserves the large increase in funding.
"The governor has unveiled a lot of new spending programs," Suder said. "I'm not sure the taxpayers can afford all of them."
Suder said the UW System has not proved its fiscal responsibility in the past and added that funding needs to be appropriated on the basis of need, not want.
Giroux said outside interest in the UW System will help persuade officials in the coming weeks.
"We must make a clear voice that will deliver a return on investment for every taxpayer," Giroux said.
State Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Praire, said he would be willing to allocate more funding to the UW System because it generates jobs and economic growth.
"$225 million is not too much," Hebl said. "We have to continue to finance education so we have top quality students. … An educated workforce is Wisconsin's future."
Some lawmakers and university officials have advocated for increased spending because the UW System took large cuts in the previous two biennial budgets: $90 million in 2005-07 and $250 million in 2003-05.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 7:26am):
That photo just made me puke a little in my mouth. I didn't know Doyle was governor of an acid trip.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 11:57am):
Wisconsin taxpayers cannot afford, nor have we interest in, funding the wild dreams of this dishonest governor. He ran for office on a platform of no new taxes. His budget was just introduced with from .5 to $2 billion in additional spending. WE CANNOT AFFORD THE OUTRAGEOUS TAXES WE ARE PAYING NOW, MUCH LESS ANOTHER SET OF HANDOUTS AND ILL-CONCEIVED SPENDING FRENZIES.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 12:13pm):
11:57, if you cannot afford it, maybe you should move. This state is too nice for your kind. I suggest Arkansas, West Virginia, or Mississippi might be a better fit.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 2:11pm):
You must be one of those who moved here for the generous handouts. If you were a contributing member of society who actually worked and had to pay Wisconsin taxes you would have some grasp of reality.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 3:48pm):
Investing in education is the only thing that will ensure prosperity for the state and its citizens in the future. Other countries have surpassed the United States in some fields as far as education is concerned. And even American businesses see the need for greater investment in education, not further budget cuts. United Technologies in the last 10 years has paid for 20,000 (that is the correct number) degrees for employees ($5-$6 million worth) because they see the immediate benefits to their business. It is the only way to address the challenges of the future.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 5:33pm):
2:11- Wisconsin vs. Alabama?
Love,
Not a moocher
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 6:25pm):
Hey 7:26 a.m. pukeface: It's called a main focal point. Notice how the governor is properly exposed (drawing the viewer's attention) while the background is lit just enough to show not only how big the room is, but every representative and senator standing and applauding as well. If you don't like it or would prefer crappy photos along with crappy stories, read the Cardinal. As a photographer myself, I MUCH prefer this photo over a standard 3/4 body shot of someone at a podium. Bottom line: you're an idiot.
Anonymous (February 14, 2007 @ 7:31pm):
6:25, as a photographer, I think that leaving your shutter open too long is totally awesome. You should try to be artsy and make your audience barf as a tribute to your talent of making light swirl all over the page. Who cares if I see double of governor Doyle's head? It's like commentary on his double-faced lies. Acid trip photos are just the tip of the revolution!
P.S. I probably wouldn't have used the pre-programmed setting for night photos on my Cannon digital camera. The flash was good, but the shutter was open too long. Also, the light balance was off, perhaps switch to a tungsten setting. 1. Use flash 2. Drop your f-stop lower 3. close your shutter earlier (close to 1/60s as you can)
Who's the idiot, bitch?
Anonymous (February 15, 2007 @ 8:51pm):
Message from the photographer: While I agree with the 6:25 comment, it was not done by me as it appears the 7:31 comment assumes. Now, MY rebuttal. First, I shoot Nikon, not Canon who is apparently now "Cannon." Second, I haven't shot on anything except manual in over 5 years so the issue of pre-programmed settings on my "Cannon" is non-existent. Third, the white balance was a custom setting, with a white sheet of paper in that very same room as the reference. Fourth, the room was not bright enough to shoot at 1/60 sec with the flash and have the background exposed without blowing out the governor unless my aperture was at 2.8 and I was shooting with an f4 super-wide.
Settings were as follows: 1/5 sec @ f11, 15mm, ISO 800. Flash @ 1/16 power. While I appreciate your suggestions, I think I can manage.
-Jeff Schorfheide
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