OPINION & EDITORIAL
College Democrats give Green failing grade for tuition hikes
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by Guest Columnist
Thursday, September 28, 2006
A political observer once noted that Republicans — at all levels — have never let the facts get in the way of a good argument. That observation definitely applies to the "55%" chalkings that you may have noticed scribbled across Library Mall and Bascom Hill on Tuesday morning. The chalkings correctly claimed that 55% represents the amount that UW-Madison tuition has risen in the past half decade. But the chalkings were dead wrong in asserting that it was Governor Doyle's idea to raise our tuition by that much.
It was actually the Republican-controlled state Legislature — not Governor Doyle — that was responsible for crafting the budgets that increased tuition at UW schools. In fact, in the last budget, Governor Doyle was the one who used his veto power to restore $8 million in financial aid for students and almost $35 million in funding to the UW System that Republicans tried to slash.
The governor has also requested that the Board of Regents limit tuition increases to no more than the cost of inflation — a request the board is following. Demonstrating his commitment to affordability, the governor has also created the Wisconsin Covenant, which guarantees that hardworking students will be able to afford college through state financial aid.
While Governor Doyle was working hard here in Wisconsin to keep our universities strong and accessible, Congressman Mark Green was in Washington cutting financial aid. Congressman Green claims that "education funding will always be a top priority," but his record clearly proves otherwise. When Green served in the state Legislature, he voted three times to directly increase UW tuition by cutting $43 million from the UW budget. Just this past February, Green cast the deciding vote in Congress to slash more than $12 billion from financial aid. His votes have also frozen Pell Grants and eliminated many student support programs. On top of all of this, Congressman Green supports TABOR, a plan that would drastically reduce state funding for all education. This would either lead to drastic reductions in our university's services and academic quality, or skyrocketing tuition (although, from his record, it's clear that Green doesn't care if that happens).
One of the most blatant examples of Congressman Green's disregard for the fate of students is his 2006 vote against HR 609. UW-Madison students, the statewide UW student government and even the U.S. Student Association lobbied their U.S. Representatives to vote in favor of this bill. Unfortunately, with representatives like Mark Green, the student voice fell on deaf ears. HR 609, if it had passed, would have lowered student loan interest rates, provided grants to minority students and made higher education more affordable for everyone. However, because Congressman Green voted with Republicans against this bill, today's students will have to shoulder, on average, an extra $5,400 in loan interest and fees when we graduate. That's assuming that we will have enough money to stay in school long enough to graduate: Mark Green's vote cut $14.3 billion in loans and actually imposed new mandatory taxes for students.
While Congressman Green says in Wisconsin that he supports students, he was actually in Washington fighting to make it harder for students to afford college. Meanwhile, Governor Doyle is standing up to Republican legislators like Mark Green to ensure that education is accessible to everyone.
These are the hard facts on UW tuition increases over the past several years. It's true that Governor Doyle and Congressman Green have very different views on tuition increases, higher education funding and financial aid programs. Tuition has unfortunately increased as a result of actions by the Republican-controlled Legislature in the years since current students entered UW-Madison. However, Governor Doyle — in dealing with a hostile Legislature — has done and will continue to do as much as he can to limit future increases and keep in-state tuition at UW the second lowest in the Big Ten. The same can definitely not be said about Congressman Green.
The next time you see a 55% scribbled on the sidewalk, think about this number instead: 8 percent. The National Education Association gave Congressman Green a score of 8 percent when it comes to caring about students. I don't know how it works for him in Washington, but here in Wisconsin, 8 percent is a failing grade. Employers don't hire people with grades like that — and neither should the citizens of Wisconsin.
Suchita Shah is a sophomore majoring in biology with the neurobiology option. She is also the Vice Chair of the UW-Madison College Democrats.
Anonymous (September 28, 2006 @ 6:59am):
"It was actually the Republican-controlled state Legislature -- not Governor Doyle -- that was responsible for crafting the budgets that increased tuition at UW schools."
The republicans may have created the budget, but Doyle has the final say, and he signed off on the budget. He could have used his veto power there, like he has done so many other instances, but chose not to. Doyle cannot go completely blameless.
Anonymous (September 28, 2006 @ 9:52am):
If only the NEA was a credible organization without a misguided agenda.
Anonymous (September 28, 2006 @ 4:01pm):
What?! The Democrats gave Green a failing grade? Weird. They're not biased at all.
Anonymous (September 28, 2006 @ 7:30pm):
Doyle signing off- he line item vetoed 35 million in cuts! He cant craft the language- he can only remove certain words- learn how government works!
Anonymous (September 30, 2006 @ 3:50pm):
Grow up, get over your petty arguments, and realize the real world is not the ideological abyss that Madison is. Although you may not like Governor Doyle, he has done everything in his power for students. He may not be the ideal candidate, but he sure beats the h*ll out of Mark Green. In all regards I hate the partisan hackery that emerges from both sides, but this is one case where I can understand why the Democrats have to push such an agenda to let people know the truth.
