A package of bills in the Wisconsin legislature would improve the state's higher education system, sponsors say. | giovannacco/Pixabay
A package of bills in the Wisconsin legislature would improve the state's higher education system, sponsors say. | giovannacco/Pixabay
A proposed new package of bills in the Wisconsin of legislature would improve the state's higher education system, State Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), one of the sponsors, said on Twitter.
"Proud to stand with @RepShankland @RepKristina @sensmithwi and community leaders today to introduce the Reaching Higher for Higher Education bill package," she wrote. "The seven bills included in this package send a strong message to current and future students and educators in Wisconsin that they are supported and valued. It’s vital now more than ever that our state invest in our higher education systems to grow our workforce and maintain affordability and accessibility for students #highereducation.”
The legislation includes provisions to freeze tuition at schools in the University of Wisconsin system, increase need-based financial aid both to students within the university system and at technical schools and waive tuition for education major while during their student teaching semester, Emerson said.
The push for more affordable higher education comes as the average amount of student debt for Wisconsin students is more than $30,000, Spectrum News reported.
“For every dollar we spend on the UW System, we received a $23 return on investment, and our technical colleges and universities play a vital role in preparing students for jobs of today and the future,” State Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) told Spectrum News.
Many of the proposals have been introduced in the past and have been supported by both Republicans and Democrats, creating optimism that parts of the proposed package could become law, Spectrum News said.
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