This fall, Badger football isn't going to be the only thing going on in Wisconsin.

Leading up to the November election, you'll see a discussion on a broad range of issues that affect everyone in this state — from higher education funding to stem-cell research to ensuring families have access to affordable health care. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the most politically organized and engaged campuses in the country — and your vote will be tremendously important in this election.

I'm extremely proud to be an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin. UW is known worldwide for leadership in research and academics and is indispensable to our state's economy.

Ensuring a college education remains affordable is a vital priority for me. That's why, despite facing the worst fiscal crisis in state history, I have doubled the state's commitment to financial aid for UW students over the last four years, increased the tuition tax deduction, expanded the EdVest college savings program and increased the maximum higher education grant that UW students can receive. I recently called on the Board of Regents to hold tuition to a level no greater than the rate of inflation. UW's tuition is still the second lowest in the Big Ten.

To protect our proud tradition of affordable, quality higher education in Wisconsin, I proposed the Wisconsin Covenant, an innovative program that ensures that any kid who works hard, takes challenging classes and stays out of trouble can afford to get a higher education at any UW System school, Wisconsin's technical colleges, or Wisconsin's private colleges and universities.

My opponent, Congressman Mark Green, has made it harder for middle-class and working families to afford college. Congressman Green voted to cut nearly $13 billion from student financial aid — the largest financial-aid cut in history. Congressman Green voted to freeze federal Pell Grants for several years in a row, and has cut back other student financial-aid and support programs. His budget plan would result in significant cuts to the UW System that would hurt students and Wisconsin's economy.

In the last budget, Republicans in the state Legislature proposed drastic cuts to the UW System that would have slashed financial aid, caused substantial tuition increases and led to fewer classes. Through my veto, I was able to restore $8 million in financial aid and more than $34 million in UW System funding.

UW contributes substantially to the economic well-being of Wisconsin, providing world-class research and educating our first-class workforce. And because of research pioneered here in Wisconsin, we have emerged as a world leader in stem-cell research. You may have already seen the beginnings of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on the south side of campus — an unprecedented investment in the UW and the future of scientific research in Wisconsin.

But the future of stem-cell research in Wisconsin hangs in the balance this fall. Congressman Green opposes stem-cell research pioneered at the UW, and if he had his way he would shut it down. He's voted for or cosponsored legislation to ban and even criminalize stem-cell research eight times. Recently, Congressman Green stood with President Bush and voted against federal funding that would provide a major boost to research right at UW, research that has the potential to find cures to diseases like juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Another key health concern for women at the UW and across Wisconsin is the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health. That's why, when Republicans in our Legislature voted continually to limit a woman's right to choose, I vetoed their efforts every time.

Congressman Green stands with the extreme right wing, supporting the criminalization of a woman's right to choose under virtually every circumstance — even in cases of rape, incest or the health of the mother.

Congressman Green has even coauthored legislation that would allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense birth control pills based on their personal or moral beliefs. I believe that medical care should be received based on what the medical needs of patients are — not on the personal or political views of a care provider. That's why when similar legislation was passed by state Republicans here in Wisconsin, I vetoed the bill.

You have an exciting semester ahead — juggling class, work and other commitments — but you know what is at stake in this election and are more informed and more connected to the world than ever before.

I invite you to stand with me on these issues this fall. To find out more, or to get involved, visit my campaign Web site at www.doylelawton.com.

On Wisconsin!

Jim Doyle is the governor of Wisconsin.