Technical colleges deserve state investment

MADISON – Wisconsin’s Technical College leaders are speaking out about recent Legislative action creating significant fiscal challenges for one of the state’s major economic engines. Despite bipartisan agreement that technical college graduates and services fuel the state’s economy, it is one of a few state programs facing both new revenue limits and deep cuts to current state funding.

On Tuesday, the Assembly passed AB-506, which sets the state aids for K-12 schools and municipalities and AB-507, which would continue levy limits on local governments approved during the last budget and establish a new 2.6 percent increase limit on technical college levies for the next two years. State funding for the technical college system remains an unresolved budget issue.

"With rising enrollments and increasing global competition, this is the time Wisconsin should be investing in technical education. The additional levy limit, beyond the 1.5 mill rate limit already in place, will jeopardize access, quality and availability of technical college services, which in turn harms Wisconsin’s economic development. A levy limit does nothing to change technical colleges' dependence on property tax revenues. To restore the balance of funding long-term, and provide sustainable property tax relief, the state needs to assume more responsibility and be an equal funding partner," said Mary Quinnette Cuene, president of the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

The balance of technical college funding has shifted dramatically in recent years, as the state’s share has dropped from 30 percent in 1990 to 14 percent last year. Most of this occurred during a time of record enrollment growth at the colleges. As a result, local property taxpayers are picking up more than two-thirds of the cost of our state’s technical colleges and students are contributing more funding than the state.

"By imposing new levy limits, the Assembly is hoping to send a positive message to property taxpayers. Unfortunately, by not addressing the state’s funding investment in general aid for the colleges, financial aid and free tuition for veterans and their families, technical college students are getting a negative message. AB-507 doesn’t change anything about who is paying the bulk of technical college costs; students and property taxpayers who are often one in the same, " stated Vanessa Pickar, student representative on the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

The Technical College System has worked hard to exemplify responsive, transparent, and accountable public service. A recent independent analysis of the economic impact of the WTCS, conducted by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayer’s Alliance, found that the technical colleges and their graduates contribute nearly $7 billion to the state’s annual output. Every dollar invested in a technical college graduate generates $4 dollars in new spending in the state’s economy. The Legislative Conference Committee is continuing discussions on the state budget, including state funding for technical colleges, reimbursement for tuition remissions for veterans and their dependents and student financial aid.

"This is an opportunity for our legislature to prioritize the public institution Wisconsinites consider most important to our state’s economic development," System President Dan Clancy said. "The state’s partnership with the technical college is necessary to Wisconsin’s future health and wealth," he added.

The Wisconsin Technical College System has 16 technical college districts throughout Wisconsin, which offer more than 300 programs awarding two-year associate degrees, one and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, the System is the major provider of customized training and technical assistance to Wisconsin’s business and industry community. More than half of all adults in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training. Find more about educational programs at www.witechcolleges.org.

Wisconsin Technical College’s offer more than 300 programs to community residents who receive two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. Wisconsin's business and industry turn to the technical colleges for customized training and technical assistance. One out of every nine adults in the state uses the 16 technical colleges for career preparation and continuing education each year. The WTC System web site can be found at www.wtcsystem.edu.