As summer wanes and we transition from fun in the sun with family and friends to heading back to the classroom, quite a conversation is underway in our great state as to the best way to keep Wisconsin moving forward in the years ahead.

Every two years, the Legislature and governor debate how to best invest in our state's resources. Decisions are made on how much we should spend on critical public safety services like our police officers and firefighters and the amount of financial aid to make available for college students.

The stakes are high for young and old alike as our actions on the budget affect every school child, senior citizen, business owner and farmer across Wisconsin.

This year's debate showcases a real contrast of values and priorities that exist between our elected leaders.

As Senate Majority Leader, I serve as the Democrats' lead budget negotiator.

My fellow Democratic conferees and I are fighting to ensure our college students can afford and access higher education, the University of Wisconsin System remains among the nation's elite educational institutions, and our public schools and technical colleges have the tools to train our next generation of workers.

Across the table from us are four legislators with a much different set of priorities that have left us with a wide gap to bridge.

They want to eliminate $125 million in funding to the University of Wisconsin System — cuts the president of the Board of Regents has said will result in the UW no longer being able to afford to educate 22,488 college students.

Chancellors at UW-Green Bay and UW-Eau Claire warn those kind of cuts could compromise the ability of campuses to hire additional security and police officers, as recommended by a task force formed after this year's tragedy at Virginia Tech.

These same legislators are pushing a budget that eliminates all increases in financial aid, forcing thousands of incoming college students to be placed on waiting lists for assistance that could make or break their opportunity at accessing a higher education.

The Republican zeal to take it to UW has bordered on downright silliness.

They proposed shutting down the UW Law School in its entirety because one of their members was unhappy with his legal representation during a messy divorce.

Big Bird and Elmo beware: Republicans want to pull the plug on all state funding for UW-Extension, which operates Wisconsin Public Television and Public Radio. The head of UW-Extension and broadcasters warn that will compromise the state's ability to continue the highly successful Amber Alert child abduction notification system.

The Republicans' latest attack on our state's greatest economic engine hasn't gone unnoticed. Several media outlets have called them to task for their lack of regard for UW. The Wisconsin State Journal wrote recently:

"Skimping on higher education is the wrong approach for Wisconsin to succeed in the global economy. Wisconsin needs more college graduates to attract more high-paying jobs. Those jobs are key to keeping Wisconsin ‘s economy going for the good of all citizens."

In addition to fully funding UW and increasing financial aid for students, Democrats have endorsed a tuition freeze to ensure a college education in this state remains affordable.

Tuition and fees to attend UW-Madison have doubled over the past ten years. While this has happened, financial aid has decreased. This is a trend Democrats want to stem.

This Legislature shouldn't always be looking for new ways to close the doors on higher education. Let's swing them open and make sure the sons and daughters of Wisconsin's hardworking families have the opportunity to earn an affordable college degree.

If we're serious about growing our economy and bringing new jobs to the Badger State, we better get serious about the University of Wisconsin.

My Democratic colleagues and I will keep fighting this fall to make sure the next state budget invests in the values and priorities shared by people across Wisconsin.

Investing in UW and making college more affordable and accessible should be values everyone in the Legislature shares.

Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, is the Senate Majority Leader and represents Rock County in the Legislature. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]Se, or by mail at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882.