The community wide education meeting was very much a success. With a solid crowd and great speakers, the Sunday afternoon meeting was very much a success. Some of the highlights(as I saw them) for those who missed it(forgive any misspellings as names were not written anywhere to check):
* The number one highlight of the day was the rousing standing ovation Senator Mark Miller received when he was introduced.
* Susan Fox, President MGSD school board “this budget is devastating to public schools.”
* Jeff from DPI(sorry I did not get his last name) said when speaking of the plan in the budget to add more people to School Vouchers while simultaneously eliminating oversight of private schools: “We believe that public funding should equal public accountability.”
* Tom Howe, History teacher from MGSD ” Wisconsin used to be a place to come to. Now it is becoming a place to go from.”
* Don Johnson, superintendent Middleton-Cross Plains School District ” With the public employees being forced to pay more of their check into their retirement and benefits, we need to start focusing on salaries. Since we have taken less throughout the years.”
* Riley Moore, Senior @ Madison East High School: “NO progress has ever been made in our history by cutting people’s rights and education.”
There were a few of the highlights. My only small criticism is there was not much time for audience feedback and questions. While there were great speakers, there was also much talent in the audience that i would have liked to hear from.
Also I think meetings like this show what a failure the budget and budget repair bill actually were for the Walker administration. Their goal was to “divide and conquer”. They wanted to pit public unions workers V fire and police, new teachers V veteran teachers, administration V teachers, parents V teachers, private unions V public unions, etc… Meetings like this where the teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, superintendents, school bards, etc… all came together to work on solutions shows that they were unsuccessful in their efforts. While in many instances negotiations between Unions and superintendents/school boards, could get contentious, both sides knew that the end goal was so both sides could win. The end goal of the Walker Budget is a lose/lose proposition for all involved. So everyone, despite their differences, have banded together to take back our state. if you don’t believe me just ask Ian\'s Pizza.
Finally, I want to re-iterate what needs to happen next. There are some vital steps that we need to make happen. As I said yesterday, it STARTS with next Tuesday where we need to make sure JoAnne Kloppenburg to Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Much of this bill and budget will end up being ruled on there and her opponent has let it be known he supports scott walker fully. Also Before you vote for local elected officials next Tuesday, ask their position on how scott walker is doing and vote accordingly(remember a non answer is usually a vote of support for Walker).
After we are successful on Tuesday April 5th, then off to recall the republican 8!
Let’s make Senator Mark Miller. the MAJORITY leader instead of the Minority leader!!!!
Here are some more ways to make a difference!
See you at the polls!
Another thing you can do is speak at the Joint Committee on Finance statewide hearings. This committee is required to travel the state and get input on the budget bill. Here are the dates, times and places where you can speak:
April 7, 10 am at UW Stevens Point, in the Melvin Laird room (230) of the Lee S Dreyfus University Center, 1015 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, 54481
April 8, 10 am at Northwood School
in the Richards Auditorium
N14463 Hwy 53
Minong, WI 54859
April 11, 10 am
WI State Fair Park
Expo Center Hall A
8200 W Greenfield Ave
West Allis, WI 53214
April 13, 10 am
Arcadia High School
756 Raider Drive
Arcadia WI 54612
In Madison: dates and times:
Proposal: AB-40 (11-1554)
Bill History: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2011/data/AB40hst.html
Relating to: state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2011 le…
Assembly Bill 40 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: March 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Assembly Bill 40 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: March 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Assembly Bill 40 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: March 31, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Assembly Bill 40 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: April 4, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Assembly Bill 40 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: April 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Proposal: SB-27 (11-1478)
Bill History: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2011/data/SB27hst.html
Relating to: state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2011 le…
Senate Bill 27 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: March 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Senate Bill 27 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: March 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Senate Bill 27 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: March 31, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Senate Bill 27 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: April 4, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Senate Bill 27 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Joint Committee on Finance. Date/time: April 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM. Location: 412 East.
Thank you very much for that Katrina…it is very helpful and I agree 100%, voices need to be heard in everyone of these places.