Gov. Jim Doyle signed an agreement Wednesday to implement the Wisconsin Covenant, a statewide program securing high school students, who have a B average and meet specific qualifications, a spot in the UW system of their choice.
State Rep Scott Suder, R- Abbotsford, said with the ever-approaching gubernatorial election, Doyle has other motivations besides education for implementing this program during his campaign.
""I would consider this a political gimmick set up to prop up a failing governor,"" Suder said.
Suder went on to say he is unsure of how the state would implement a program set to cost approximately $10 million dollars, citing what he claims an already large budget deficit in Wisconsin.
Despite Suder's statement, the governor's office announced state revenue was up $80 million over the expected amount. According to Matt Cantor, spokesperson for Doyle, the state is in tip-top shape financially.
Cantor said the Wisconsin Covenant was anything but a political ploy and pointed his finger at the Republican party.
""Talk about political gimmicks, I mean the Republicans are going around saying, ‘We have no money, no money!'"" Cantor said. ""But yesterday they wanted to spend $25 million on stem cells research that doesn't even exist.""
Though Cantor said he expects the legislature to help fund the project, Suder said he refuses to look at this plan until the state starts putting Wisconsin residents first.
""I wont support any initiative—this or otherwise—until the university starts admitting Wisconsin students first, giving out of state student tuition breaks and raising tuition for in-state students,"" Suder said.
Even though state Rep. Spencer Black D-Madison, said he supports this initiative, the legislature has to look at ways to help current college students with their financial woes. Black said he has introduced a bill last session that would have frozen the cost of tuition.
The Wisconsin Covenant secures spots for students with B averages at the UW System school of their choice, the Wisconsin Technical College system or a selection of other private schools.
