Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke spoke at a rally on campus Monday to encourage students to cast their ballots early ahead of the Nov. 4 general election.
“If we turn people out on college campuses across this state, I will be the next governor of this great state of Wisconsin,” Burke said.
The rally, held at Memorial Union, was organized by Badgers for Burke, a coalition between the UW-Madison Young Progressives and UW-Madison College Democrats.
Students listened as Burke spoke about her plans to increase the minimum wage, create jobs and provide more financial aid for students.
“The future of our state is at stake here and not only can we do better, but we must do better,” Burke said. “We have to ensure that everyone has that fair shot to get ahead.”
Also speaking at the event was U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., who emphasized the importance of having a governor who invests in education.
“Scott Walker had the chance, the opportunity every governor in the country would jump at to apply for up to $60 million for our preschools, and Scott Walker failed to apply for that money,” Pocan said.
Freshman and elementary education major Hayley Ormson said she was voting because, as a student, she would be heavily affected by the outcome of the gubernatorial race.
“As [I am a] future teacher, Mary Burke is the only option,” Ormson said.
Later that day, Burke addressed her plans for higher education in a teleconference, emphasizing the role the UW system plays in the state economy.
“The role of universities as economic hubs are important throughout the state if we want a leading economy,” she said.
Burke also highlighted her “Invest for Success” jobs plan, which would allow students who remain in the state after graduation to refinance their student loans.
“Too many people are priced out of higher education,” she said. “We need to change tuition tax deductibility and create a refinancing authority to bring down interest rates and debt.”
Higher education is expected to be a key issue in the election, which a recent Marquette University Law School poll has shown is neck and neck.
Walker has touted his promise to keep a two-year tuition freeze in place, but Burke has doubts about the proposed freeze given the fiscal resources on hand.
“Another tuition freeze without addressing underlying issues at each UW campus concerns me,” Burke said. “Without reserves to offset [the freeze] I’m worried about having to cut programs and staff.”
Burke also attacked Walker over what she considers fiscal irresponsibility regarding higher education.
“Are we going to prioritize education in the state budget? Because right now we spend more on corrections,” she said. "I want to make education a budget priority.”
