In light of Gov. Jim Doyle’s state budget provisions, the United Council plans on increasing its efforts in the Dollar and Sense campaign to lobby legislators and ensure the 2009-11 state budget best represents the needs of Wisconsin students.
According to the United Council Legislative Affairs Director Cedric Lawson, the council is happy to see most its provisions parallel those proposed by Doyle.
“Nine out of our 10 priorities were in our governors budget so as of now [the budget] is pretty similar to what we have asked for,” said United Council President Omer Farooque.
Although the council will continue to lobby with the governor to push for budget provisions such as an increase in grant aid, state funding for the Lawton Minority Undergraduate and state funding for the Advanced Opportunity Fellowship, the council still hopes to pursue its final priority that did not make it to the governor’s agenda, according to Farooque.
“We are working to push for a lesser increase for tuition,” Lawson said, “In the governor’s budget, tuition increased about 6 or 7 percent, but we would like it to be lower.”
The council will continue to lobby legislators for less than a 3 percent overall tuition increase.
Although Lawson said tuition will have to rise to some degree due to the state of today’s economy, he said the council’s drive to keep tuition low remains strong because of the 66 percent tuition increase Wisconsin schools have already seen over the last few years.
Lawson urged student’s to join the council’s efforts and encourage lobbyists to support the students.
“With something as large as the budget, you can’t work alone,” Lawson said. “We know the importance of knowing this and increasing power.”
Although the group will continue to be a presence throughout the process, Farooque said he does not know what to expect from Legislature.
“I cannot say I’m confident about anything right now,” Farooque said. “There are some things that need to be tweaked and we’ll see how that goes, but it depends. I’ve yet to hear different comments from the Legislature, but hopefully they will be in support of the students as much as possible.”
Lawson added though he is not sure which way the Legislature will vote on any of the issues, he believes the lobbying efforts will help build relationships with other student organizations not directly involved with the council.
Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, said he and fellow Republicans think students should push for a tuition freeze given the money the UW system is receiving from Washington.
“They seem to be putting everything on the back of students. … They should cut the bureaucracy before cutting into students’ pockets,” Suder said. “UW regents and Doyle are on a spending spree, and I hope can derail that train, but the only ones that can do that is the students themselves.”
Rep Spencer Black, D-Madison, said he would like to see Legislature keep student tuition as affordable as possible
“The state is $6 billion in deficit, so times are tough and the university is going to face cuts, so there are challenging decisions all around,” Black said. “I’m working to make sure tuition stays reasonable.”
