download PDF

8 March 2007

Governor Jim Doyle
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53707

Dear Governor Doyle,

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin applauds all of the public school funding measures in your 2007-2009 budget proposals. Cleary we share a concern and a commitment to public education for the youth of Wisconsin. Your budget proposal will provide immediate relief to school districts statewide and the LWVWI would be pleased to see the legislature enact your requests.

What is missing, however, is money to begin comprehensive school-funding reform. Referenda have become the way of life for many school districts, just to make up the difference between the present state funding formula and the local districts adequacy needs. These referenda depend on the regressive property taxes, which burden homeowners young and old.

The League looks forward to working with you and our legislators in addressing the serious need for school-funding reform. Our goal is to change the present funding system by July 1, 2009.

Sincerely,

Melanie Ramey, President
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin