Wisconsinites typically look for the State of the State address to go light on detailed plans for fiscal solvency and heavy on idealism. Last week, Gov. Jim Doyle's address did not disappoint.
Although such speeches usually promise more than can be delivered, the UW System can take its caution with a bit of optimism this year, on the heels of a proposed $225 million increase in its budget.
A budget increase is long overdue. In the past two years, the state Legislature cut $340 million worth of proposed budget increases for the UW System, leading to tuition hikes and hampering the system's growth.
This year, the areas targeted for financial assistance are critically important. Rising tuition has priced more and more students out of Wisconsin colleges while financial aid lags behind. Part of the budget increase is intended for expanding the state's financial aid programs, in particular, Doyle's proposed ""Wisconsin Covenant,"" which seeks to provide affordable state schooling to all high-performing high school students.
Expanded enrollment, another of the governor's goals, would presumably make room for these students.
University research programs have also been promised a boost in the near future, chief among them UW-Milwaukee, which is being touted as an important player in jump-starting the city's economy.
Given the scope of these proposals, it is not surprising the most popular question at the Capitol over the past week has been, ""Where will the money come from?"" Wisconsin is already facing a $1.6 billion deficit, and Doyle has pledged not to raise taxes. During his first term, Doyle worked a small amount of magic with the budget, helping to prevent the state from going deep into the red.
Even if Doyle is able to sell skeptical Republicans on his latest proposal, it remains to be seen whether that magic will be enough to move it out of the realm of optimism and into reality. Budgets are not raised on promises.
