Monthly Archives: May 2009
Voices of Dissent — The Wisconsin State Budget
A couple more voices of dissent on the Wisconsin State Budget deal (joining those previously noted, Ed Garvey, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families and me). Dustin Beilke had this to say on the Isthmus/Daily Page: How unfortunate, then, … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Budget, Contracts, education, Elections, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, Referenda, referendum, School Finance, Take Action
State Budget Passes JFC – Vote With Your Feet
The Committee on Joint Finance voting along party lines, passed the budget bill at 5:30 this morning (Friday May 29, 2009). It now goes to the Senate and Assembly, where passage along party lines is also anticipated. The WisPolitics Budget … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", education, Elections, finance, Local News, School Finance, Take Action
Wisconsin Budget “Fix” — The Saws Come Out
Albert King, “Crosscut Saw” (click to listen or download). Such large cuts to education in the Wisconsin state budget “fix” just released (budget papers references in the text can be found here), that the axes are temporarily going up on … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Budget, Contracts, education, Local News, School Finance, Uncategorized
Rumors and Deals — Wisconsin State Budget Update
Legislative “leaders” met behind closed doors for nine hours yesterday, May 27, 2009. The Committe on Joint Finance is expected to “finish their work” in a public session starting at Noon today. The agenda is here. Because they are meeting … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Budget, Contracts, education, finance, Local News, School Finance, Uncategorized
Back in Stride — Walk On the Child’s Side Update
From the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools: What: 10th anniversary Walk on the Child’s Side Who: All Wisconsinites who care about their public schools Where: Walk from the UW-Madison Library Mall to the steps of the State Capitol When: 11 … Continue reading
MMSD Equity Report Due
On June 2, 2008 The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education adopted a new Equity Policy (policy here, minutes here, video here). This policy requires a two-part annual report on equity, described as follows: Reporting Administration will report on … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Budget, education, Equity, Local News, School Finance, Uncategorized
“Ain’t No Sunshine,” The Joint Finance Committee Does the Education Budget (and Much Else) Updated
Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine” (click to listen or download) [Update at the bottom] Wisconsin is generally considered to have good open meetings/open records, “sunshine” laws. However, it appears that significant revisions of the state’s 2009-11 biennial budget is moving … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Accountability, Best Practices, Budget, education, finance, Local News, School Finance, Uncategorized
Let’s Call Cuts, Cuts — Budget Rhetoric Fact Check
The Who, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (click to listen or download) This budget season in Wisconsin began with Governor Jim Doyle’s Orwellian statement that ““Not getting cut is the new increase in this budget.” It has been all downhill from … Continue reading
The Democrats Cut Education and Services, Relative Silence Ensues
There is that old question about whether a tree falling in empty woods makes a noise. Last Thursday, May 21, 2009 Wisconsin Governor Doyle got out his budget cut saw and began felling numerous trees. He has since passed the … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Accountability, Budget, Contracts, education, Elections, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, Uncategorized
“Walk on the Child’s Side” June 16 — Don’t Forget
Don’t forget to save the date for the June 16, “Walk on the Child Side” 10th anniversy school funding action. In light of the recent budget moves in Wisconsin, this action has never been more necessary. WEAC has a good … Continue reading
Filed under "education finance", Best Practices, Budget, education, finance, Local News, School Finance, Take Action, Uncategorized
