Joint Finance Committee Hearings

Students from the Phillips School District told legislators to support WAES.

The Joint Committee on Finance is the most powerful committee in the Wisconsin Legislature, because it controls the process of converting the Governor's budget proposal into legislation. Its 16 members include 12 Republicans and 4 Democrats, split between Senate and Assembly.

Before beginning its formal budget work, the committee held six public hearings around the state. WAES was involved in each hearing.

The schedule:

March 24, 2003 – Rhinelander. More than 350 students, parents, educators, and administrators from 25 northern districts demanded expanded funding for public schools. Busloads of students on spring break spoke, sang, demonstrated, and cheered to call attention to their schools' needs. Click here for details and pictures.

March 25, 2003 – Menasha. Two dozen WAES supporters held a press conference and testified in support of solid state support for public education. Click here for details and pictures.

March 31, 2003 – Milwaukee. One hundred WAES supporters rallied the day before the hearing, unveiling a "Wall of Shame" with pictures of children who will be hurt by budget cuts. The hearing day included a press conference with WISDOM, the church-based WAES partner, and testimony to legislators. Click here for details and pictures.

April 3, 2003 – River Falls. Despite roaring winds, plummeting temperatures, snow, and poor driving conditions, the friends of WAES were on hand to tell members of the Joint Finance Committee that schools throughout the northwest can absorb no more school funding cuts. In addition to testimony before the committee, several members of the group were interviewed by area television stations. Click here for details.

April 8, 2003 – Platteville. The tone continued when members of the Joint Finance Committee heard concerns about the governor's proposed budget in a seven-hour session. Among those testifying was Platteville School District Superintendent, Dean Issacson, who said that our children are our economic future and that if "we serve them well, they will serve us well."

April 9, 2003 – Madison. WAES unveiled the "Wall of Blame" before the final Joint Finance Committee hearing at the Capitol. During a press conference prior to the hearing, coalition partners pointed out the discrepancy between the financial plight of schools all over the state and the millions of dollars in sales tax exemptions that have been granted over the years to state businesses. Click here for details and pictures.

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