Sunday, July 03, 2005
Capping tuition?
Note: For days, I've been mulling over how I feel about Wisconsin budget, the UW budget and the cost of tuition next fall. It's to a point where I'm torn -- between state-wide fiscal responsibility and my personal out-of-pocket expenses. The easy answer is simple: sell-out my personal beliefs and join the "spending more is the answer" crowd. But its not that easy, here is a take on what the right thing to do.
The solution: pass a state constitutional amendment to impose a taxpayers' bill of rights, along with a permanent three percent cap, or the cost of inflation, on all fees -- whether it's UW tuition, vehicle registration fees, hunting fees, etc.
Now of course the left, including RINOs (Republican In Name Only), would have you believe that a cap on taxes and fees would hurt the people of Wisconsin, its government entities (namely public education, the UW and other bureaucratic hogs) and more importantly their platform of higher taxes, higher fees and making Wisconsin No. 1 in the country in both income taxes and property taxes.
Let's face it, in Wisconsin -- especially in Madison -- we get spin, half-truths and talk without any action. We saw it this week in the state Senate. Everyone talks about spending less, making cuts and being fiscally responsible. We all know what the truth is, the evidence is what they did to AB 100, the 2005-07 state budget.
If the governor signs this bill, spending will increase, about 10 percent by recent estimates. Why 10 percent? Any more and I think common citizens would catch on when they have to renew their vehicle registrations and are slapped with a $200 renewal fee. $200 may sound extreme right now, but it could happen if spending isn't limited.
How does this affect the UW budget this time around? I think it's about time the UW re-examine its budget and how it goes about spending. Imposing a permanent cap on tuition is the solution for stability within the university, not to mention less whining from top UW officials.
If the UW did less whining and more work, just maybe, definitely maybe, the students wouldn't have to suffer for two more years. university system.
Labels: Strategery, UW System
