Support the Reaching Higher for Higher Ed Bills

Wisconsin State Legislature

Wisconsin State Representative Katrina Shankland and State Senator Dave Hansen recently released the "Reaching Higher for Higher Education" package of bills. These bills would accomplish the following:

  • Fully fund the the UW System tuition freeze by increasing funding for general program operations.
  • Require that all future tuition freezes for the UW System be funded, ensuring that educators have the resources they need so students won't wait for courses to graduate.
  • Fully fund the Wisconsin Technical College System's 2019-2021 budget request.
  • Create a 19-member Blue Ribbon Commission for the UW System, tasked with studying and facilitating discussion of a public agenda for higher education, a set of long-term goals and priorities for higher education, and accessibility and affordability of education—including the feasibility of establishing a state program to provide debt-free college education to all Wisconsin residents.
  • End the wait list for need-based financial aid for UW System and technical college students by increasing funding for Wisconsin Grants.
  • Remit UW undergraduate student teacher tuition for the semester they are student teaching.
We, the undersigned, are educators, public servants, and citizens of Wisconsin. We believe these bills would benefit all of Wisconsin's students and educators, in K-12 schools, technical colleges, and the UW alike. We call on the state legislature to support the Reaching Higher for Higher Education package.
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To: Wisconsin State Legislature
From: [Your Name]

Dear Legislator:

Wisconsin State Representative Katrina Shankland and State Senator Dave Hansen recently released the "Reaching Higher for Higher Education" package of bills. These bills would accomplish the following:

* Fully fund the the UW System tuition freeze by increasing funding for general program operations.

* Require that all future tuition freezes for the UW System be funded, ensuring that educators have the resources they need so students won't wait for courses to graduate.

* Fully fund the Wisconsin Technical College System's 2019-2021 budget request.

* Create a 19-member Blue Ribbon Commission for the UW System, tasked with studying and facilitating discussion of a public agenda for higher education, a set of long-term goals and priorities for higher education, and accessibility and affordability of education—including the feasibility of establishing a state program to provide debt-free college education to all Wisconsin residents.

* End the wait list for need-based financial aid for UW System and technical college students by increasing funding for Wisconsin Grants.

* Remit UW undergraduate student teacher tuition for the semester they are student teaching.

I believe these bills would benefit all of Wisconsin's students and educators, in K-12 schools, technical colleges, and the UW alike. Please advocate for the state legislature to support the Reaching Higher for Higher Education package.