Higher Education

While on the campaign trail, Gov. Scott Walker likes to tout his tuition freeze, but what he isn’t telling you is that the freeze came after he had already increased tuition substantially, flatlined financial aid, and significantly cut state support for higher education in the State of Wisconsin.

This has shifted costs to consumers and Wisconsin families, increasing student loan debt and decreasing the affordability of higher education, all while refusing to support a plan that would allow Wisconsin students to refinance their student loan debt like you can a mortgage.

Scott Walker’s approach to higher education has centered on one thing – cuts. In his first budget, he cut hundreds of millions from the UW System and technical colleges, while approving a 5.5% per year tuition increase at UW campuses. His most recent budget proposed an additional $300 million in cuts for the UW System. His budgets have also flatlined financial aid for students, forcing students to borrow more to pay for the increased tuition under his administration.

Content
Student Debt Becomes WISGOP 2018 Panic Room Issue John Nygren has been seeking information about a program in Connecticut that helps borrowers there refinance their student loans at lower interest rates. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/13/2018]
Testimony Before Federal Government Committee Considering Changes to Student Loan Rules The Betsy DeVos Department of Education and the Scott Walker administration are moving to make the student loan debt system problems worse, not better. [Analiese Eicher, 09/13/2018]
Walker unveils more details for student debt relief proposal Analiese Eicher from One Wisconsin Now, a left-leaning think-tank, said the tax credit will not be enough to help borrowers with their monthly payments. [Badger Herald, 09/12/2018]
Why Walker Must Go Negative Walker’s strategy is clear, Ross charges: “Instead of running on his record, he’s running on what he didn’t do.” [Urban Milwaukee, 08/28/2018]
Scott Walker Put Veterans at the Mercy of the Domestic War Profiteer For-Profit ‘College’ Cartel Another Scott Walker Election Year publicity ploy for veterans is undermined by his record supporting the for-profit “college” industry. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/24/2018]
More Than 121,000 Likely Voters in Milwaukee County Pay Monthly Student Loan Debt One Wisconsin Now's Analiese Eicher reminded the eight hopefuls that Scott Walker is the “worst governor in America for the student loan debt crisis.” [One Wisconsin Now, 08/03/2018]
Student Debt Duo Scott Walker and Betsy DeVos Team Up to Roll Back Protections From Predatory For-Profit Colleges Cuts to State Oversight and Rollback of Federal ‘Borrowers Defense’ Rule Leaves Students Vulnerable to Abuse [One Wisconsin Now, 07/31/2018]
Scott Walker would extend UW tuition freeze four more years, as Democrats back freezing or cutting tuition GOP Gov. Scott Walker plans to extend the tuition freeze at University of Wisconsin campuses for four more years if he is re-elected, even as UW officials say they fear continuing it could hurt the quality of the education they provide. “He will continue to freeze UW tuition during his next term,” Walker spokesman Austin […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/24/2018]
Scott Walker Hits Heights of Hypocrisy in Appearance Before Armed Service Veterans in Fox Valley If Scott Walker really wanted to show respect for our veterans his policies would reflect that. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/13/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker Hasn’t Called a Bank to Refinance His Family’s Student Loan Debt, And He Won’t Help Other Wisconsin Families Refinance Their Student Loans When Scott Walker was questioned this week about whether he has followed his own advice, he indicated he had not. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/24/2018]
No Gifts for College Grads from Republicans This Weekend College students across Wisconsin aren’t getting any presents from Scott Walker and his fellow Republicans in Wisconsin and Washington D.C. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/11/2018]
How much will investing in your education cost you in debt? Analiese Eicher explained that after freezing tuition, Walker’s administration also considerably cut the amount of funding allocated to the universities. [Daily Cardinal, 04/25/2018]
UW-Madison study suggests asking young people how to attract millennials Wisconsin’s ad campaign, everywhere in Chicago from social media to “El” transit trains, began last week as a $1 million effort through June. But Gov. Scott Walker wants lawmakers to approve $6.8 million more to continue the campaign. [Capital Times, 01/13/2018]
Wisconsin ACT scores plummet Newly released ACT scores show a steep decline in student test results. The drop in average test score from 22.2 to 20.0 coincides with an increase in the number of Wisconsin students taking the exam and comes after several years of Republican budget cuts that have impacted public education in the state. These scores dropped […] [Urban Milwaukee, 01/13/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker Praises Creators of Student Loan Debt Crisis Scott Walker, who opposes a common sense student loan refinance plan, is “honoring” one of the nation’s most worst actors in the student loan crisis, Sallie Mae. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/05/2018]
Gov. Scott Walker’s Choice: Taxpayer-Funded Ads Over Solutions Scott Walker announced today he will spend millions of state tax dollars on a national marketing campaign to try to attract millennial workers to Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/29/2017]
How Scott Walker is the worst governor for student loan borrowers Analiese Eicher joins 414 Wisconsin to talk about how Scott Walker is the worst governor for student loan borrowers. [WRRD-AM, 11/07/2017]
For Student Loan Borrowers, Scott Walker Is America’s Worst Governor One Wisconsin Now Program Director Analiese Eicher released the following statements regarding Gov. Scott Walker's atrocious record on the student loan debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/06/2017]
One Year Anniversary of Gov. Scott Walker Telling Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers to ‘Call a Bank’ Today marks the one year anniversary of Gov. Scott Walker advising Wisconsin borrowers to “call a bank”. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/27/2017]
Scott Walker, Worst Governor in Nation on Student Loan Debt, to Host Donald Trump, Owner of Scam For Profit ‘University’ Scott Walker and Donald Trump may be a perfect match, but over 43 million Americans with student debt deserve better than the policies of this duo. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/13/2017]
Wisconsin lawmakers to freeze, not cut, UW System tuition The Legislature’s budget committee on Thursday approved freezing resident tuition at University of Wisconsin schools for two more years, discarding Gov. Scott Walker’s plans to cut it. The legislative package also would base funding for campuses in part on performance and establish a center named after former Gov. Tommy Thompson that could bring conservative speakers […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/25/2017]
How Performance-Based Funding Could Impact Wisconsin’s Public Universities Wisconsin lawmakers are deciding whether to reward UW System schools based on how they perform. And experts say the idea has its share of pros and cons. The concept of “performance-based funding” is pretty self-explanatory. As Gov. Scott Walker conceived of the idea in his biennial budget, it would award $42 million extra to UW […] [WUWM-FM, 05/24/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker No Friend to Wisconsin Technical Colleges or Students Career Politician Scott Walker Supported Budgets Hiking Tuition 56 Percent in State Legislature, Imposed 30 Percent State Funding Cut as Governor. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/18/2017]
Budget panel drops Walker’s Wisconsin tech school tuition freeze The Legislature’s budget committee on Thursday tossed aside Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to freeze tuition at technical colleges and restructured a program for buying environmentally friendly buses. The Joint Finance Committee also signed off on expanding a property tax break for Marquette University, potentially shifting the tax burden to other homeowners and businesses in Milwaukee. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/18/2017]
Legislators’ Choice: Common Sense Protections of Students or Gov. Scott Walker’s Way Scott Walker’s latest scheme would undermine protections for Wisconsinites from predatory for-profit colleges at a time when it is needed more than ever. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/17/2017]
Lawmakers open to ending University of Wisconsin tuition freeze as cut faces opposition The co-chairman of the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee says he is open to ending the freeze on University of Wisconsin System tuition in the next two years. “We can’t freeze tuition forever,” Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, told the Wisconsin State Journal, making him the second member of the Joint Finance Committee to indicate interest in […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/20/2017]
Walker’s appointees to fill Board of Regent seats Seats on the Board of Regents could be filled entirely by Gov. Scott Walker nominees if two appointees are confirmed following their public hearing held by legislators earlier this week. The outgoing members are the last regents appointed by former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, excluding Tony Evers, who continues to serves as an ex officio […] [Daily Cardinal, 04/19/2017]
Wisconsin Republicans Standing With Trump on State Visit Also Standing Against Student Loan Borrowers Donald Trump is visiting Kenosha today and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Gov. Scott Walker and State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos will be standing alongside him on stage. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/18/2017]
Scott Walker’s UW regents picks stress affordability Michael T. Jones told state lawmakers last week that if he is confirmed as a member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, he has asked to be “walled off” from the work his law firm is doing to defend the UW-Oshkosh Foundation in a lawsuit brought by the board. “I’ll also ask the […] [Capital Times, 04/17/2017]
Joint Finance Committee eliminates proposal allowing students to opt out of segregated fees Following much backlash from students throughout the University of Wisconsin System about the possibility of being able to opt out of allocable segregated fees, state legislators eliminated the contentious proposal Thursday. After Gov. Scott Walker introduced a state budget including a provision that would allow UW System students to choose not to pay for student […] [Badger Herald, 04/06/2017]
Gender Wage Gap Means Steeper Student Loan Debt Burden for Women The gender pay gap highlighted today also means greater student loan debt burdens for women as a percentage of their income and longer repayment terms. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/04/2017]
Education Issues Take Center Stage At First Public Hearing On Budget Education issues took center stage at the first public hearing on the 2017-2019 state budget Monday in Platteville. Dozens of citizens testified on issues including funding for a new engineering building on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus, increased spending on K-12 education statewide and a proposed opt-out for student fees on UW System campuses. [WPR, 04/03/2017]
Scott Walker’s 50 Percent Tuition Hike Gov. Scott Walker’s tuition bill has left students deeper in debt. As a legislator, he voted for budgets that increased tuition by over 50 percent. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/30/2017]
UW System President: Walker’s Budget A ‘Move In The Right Direction’ University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross said Thursday that Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget for state colleges and universities is a “move in the right direction.” Cross testified about the UW System budget before lawmakers on the state budget committee Thursday afternoon. [WPR, 03/30/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker appoints lawyer and bank executive to UW Board of Regents A lawyer specializing in corporate governance and a Green Bay-based bank executive have been appointed to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Gov. Scott Walker announced the appointments of Mike Jones and Bob Atwell to the UW System’s 18-member governing board in a statement Wednesday. Their appointments are subject to confirmation by the […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/30/2017]
Don’t want to pay for ‘Sex Out Loud?’ Walker’s budget offers opt-out on student fees The governor’s 2017-19 budget proposal would make optional the “allocable segregated fees” portion of the tuition bill at University of Wisconsin System schools. These are the student fees that fund such things as student government, student organizations and even a free bus pass program for UW-Madison students. “At a time when we want to make […] [WatchDog, 03/28/2017]
UW: Scott Walker proposal to expand Flexible Option program doesn’t include needed funding The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option program holds a lot of potential for people unable to attend traditional classes, say UW officials, but meeting Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed timetable for expansion would be challenging.Cost is the primary obstacle. “I did not see funds earmarked for developing new programs,” said Laura Pedrick, executive director of online […] [Capital Times, 03/24/2017]
Gov. Walker to include University speech code in budget Parts of a 2015 statement from the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents supporting the open exchange of ideas on campus — including those considered offensive — would become state law under a proposal in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget. The budget provision would write into statute, often word for word, large chunks of the […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/28/2017]
Gov. Walker tuition freeze criticized by fellow Republican A key Republican legislator says Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to cut University of Wisconsin System tuition would force taxpayers to pay more and lawmakers should instead consider tuition increases based on inflation or increases in family income. The governor’s proposal drew a lukewarm reception from Republicans just minutes after he announced it earlier this month. […] [Associated Press, 02/27/2017]
Concerns raised about impact of Gov. Walker’s budget on 2 year colleges UW Colleges’ lead administrator says several provisions included in Gov. Scott Walker’s preliminary 2017-2019 budget proposal could have negative consequences for the state’s 13 2-year colleges. UW Colleges Chancellor Cathy Sandeen made the comments while discussing the governor’s budget Tuesday during an interview at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County. While she supports the governor’s recommendation […] [Baraboo News Republic, 02/21/2017]
For profit college oversight board raises questions about Gov. Walker proposing their elimination Board members of Wisconsin’s for-profit college watchdog said Wednesday they’re concerned by Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to eliminate the board in the next state budget. Walker, in his 2017-19 budget proposal released last week, moved to eliminate the state Educational Approval Board and transfer its duties to another agency, the Department of Safety and Professional […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/16/2017]
UW-Madison Chancellor offers praise for Gov. Walker’s budget Two years ago, Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal had University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank warning about possible layoffs. This week, she called Walker’s 2017-2019 proposal “a very promising budget.” So promising that Blank is optimistic there will be adequate state funding to launch a program to provide free tuition to transfer students who are […] [Capital Times, 02/14/2017]
Education experts criticize Gov. Walker’s performance based higher ed funding scheme Experts say a good system of performance-based higher education funding, which ties money to how colleges measure up in certain categories, judges universities based on a few criteria, with a focused set of goals in mind. If you want more skilled workers, the thinking goes, give colleges funding to produce more graduates. To ensure universities […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/12/2017]
Scott Walker revives proposal to eliminate for-profit college oversight board “While other states are stepping up to protect students, Walker has a different idea,” said Analiese Eicher, program director for One Wisconsin Now. [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/10/2017]
Gov Walker’s higher ed budget a “mixed bag” Gov. Scott Walker’s two-year budget proposal for the University of Wisconsin System is drawing mixed reactions from faculty and students. The budget would freeze tuition for UW System in-state undergraduate students in its first year, then cut tuition by 5 percent in the second year. The cut would be paid for with a $35 million […] [Capital Times, 02/10/2017]
Gov. Walker proposes eliminating state oversight of for-profit colleges, again Gov. Scott Walker is once again moving to eliminate the board that oversees Wisconsin’s for-profit colleges and transfer its duties to another state agency, echoing a similar plan lawmakers rejected when he proposed it two years ago. The shake-up, included in Walker’s executive budget, could reduce state oversight of for-profit schools, which have weathered criticism […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/10/2017]
Gov. Walker budget could cut funds for politically active campus groups The student fees Gov. Scott Walker would make optional pay for passes that give UW-Madison students unlimited rides on Metro Transit buses and a student government that has called for administrators to declare the university a “sanctuary campus” for undocumented immigrants.The fees also support UW-Madison’s campus radio station, a contract with the Dane County Rape […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/10/2017]
For-profit college oversight board sizing up Scott Walker’s proposal to abolish it Scott Walker’s proposal to eliminate EAB after that federal regulatory action drew criticism from the progressive advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 02/09/2017]
There He Goes Again, Scott Walker Budget Proposes Eliminating Educational Approval Board Scott Walker's Unsuccessful 2015 Effort to Nix State Authority Regulating For Profit Colleges in Wisconsin Since 1944 Makes Return Appearance in 2017. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/09/2017]
No Help for Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers, Again, in Gov. Scott Walker’s 2017 State Budget Plan Scott Walker’s budget has a huge deficit of common sense, again failing to include student loan reforms like allowing borrowers to refinance. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/08/2017]
Gov. Walker budget provision on student fees threatens funding for rape crisis center A $100,000 funding stream the Dane County Rape Crisis Center receives from the University of Wisconsin-Madison could be in jeopardy under a proposal in Gov. Scott Walker’s 2017-19 budget. The funding comes from the segregated fees UW-Madison students pay to help cover a variety of services and activities on campus. The majority of segregated fees […] [Capital Times, 02/08/2017]
Gov. Walker’s budget proposes increases in financial aid funding and UW tuition cut College students would receive more need-based financial aid and those attending technical schools would have their tuition frozen under provisions announced Wednesday in Gov. Scott Walker’s executive budget. The governor’s proposal would raise funding for the Wisconsin Technical College System by $10 million over the 2017-19 state budget to make up for the freeze on […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/08/2017]
Scot Ross: Gov. Scott Walker’s big dodge on student loan debt crisis The student loan debt crisis is a state and national crisis, it is a multi-generational crisis and it is a worsening crisis. [Capital Times, 01/30/2017]
Walker ties state money for UW to performance standards Universities around the state will get additional money to reduce tuition for in-state students, but they will have to show they earned it, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday in Eau Claire. Walker stopped at Hawthorne Global Aviation as a part of a four-city tour the day after delivering his State of the State address. […] [The Dunn County News, 01/18/2017]
Walker’s Wisconsin tuition idea shuffles political alliances Scot Ross, head of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said the cut was all about giving Walker something to run on in 2018. [Associated Press, 01/12/2017]
A Failure of Leadership: Gov. Scott Walker’s Big Dodge on Student Loan Debt Crisis So here’s a little advice for Gov. Scott Walker, stop dodging the student loan debt crisis and start leading by supporting real, common sense reform. [Scot Ross, 01/12/2017]
Wisconsin lawmakers ‘open-minded’ but not sold on Scott Walker’s UW tuition cut One Wisconsin Now, a driving force behind the effort to create a refinancing authority, accused Walker of giving "recycled advice instead of solutions." [Capital Times, 01/11/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker Solution to Student Loan Debt Crisis He Helped Create: ‘Call a Bank’ Gov. Scott Walker is expected to discuss is his recycled advice to “call a bank” to help Wisconsin borrowers deal with the student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/11/2017]
Walker says UW tuition cut will be ‘significant’ Gov. Scott Walker promises the University of Wisconsin tuition cut he’s proposing will be “significant,” but he’s still not saying how much it will be. Walker said Wednesday he was saving those details for when he releases the state budget next month. Walker first announced the tuition cut in the State of the State speech […] [Channel 3000, 01/11/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker Offers Recycled Advice Instead of Solutions For Wisconsin’s Growing Student Loan Debt Crisis in State of the State Speech Instead of previewing a new policy solution to the crisis, Scott Walker repeated stale talking points and essentially told borrowers to “call a bank.” [One Wisconsin Now, 01/10/2017]
Steve Lund: You can’t cut costs without objections Scot Ross of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, described it as a stunt ... He said the governor was basically telling student borrowers to “call a bank.” [Kenosha News, 09/29/2016]
Refinancing Federal Student Loans: A Crisis You Should Know You cannot refinance federal student loans with the government. We need to change the system. That means changing the minds of politicians like Scott Walker. [Analiese Eicher, 09/29/2016]
Gov. Walker Announces Expanded Eligibility for Refinancing Student Loans One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross spoke to media following Gov. Scott Walker's news conference. [Wisconsin Eye, 09/28/2016]
Gov. Walker touts expansion of student lending Scot Ross said he didn't believe these steps would be enough to address the growing burden of student loan debt in the state. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/28/2016]
UW Credit Union expands eligibility to all college students One Wisconsin Now told reporters the expansion likely won't help anyone because students and recent graduates typically lack collateral and a credit history. [Associated Press, 09/27/2016]
Gov. Walker to One Million Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers: ‘Call a Bank’ Wisconsin student loan borrowers have over $19 billion in debt and the best Scott Walker can do is to hold a press conference announcing he's doing nothing. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/27/2016]
UW Credit Union Ups Membership Criteria The effort drew criticism from Scot Ross with One Wisconsin Now, a liberal advocacy group that has been a strong proponent for reforms in the student loan system. [Wisconsin Radio Network, 09/27/2016]
Walker Touts ‘Private Sector Solutions’ To Student Debt Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a liberal advocacy group heavily involved in the student debt issues, called the new initiative "useless." [Wisconsin Public Radio, 09/27/2016]
Gov. Walker looks to private sector for student loan refinancing initiative With 70 percent of our graduates having student debt - and his answer is a website and go to a bank - as offensive as it is useless. [WKOW-TV, 09/27/2016]
ITT Tech Shuts Its Doors; Walker, Schimel & Johnson Provide ‘Aid and Comfort’ to Predatory For-Profit Colleges ITT Tech announced it's closing immediately, leaving hundreds of Wisconsin students in limbo, while Republicans give aid and comfort to predatory for-profits. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/07/2016]
What Is it With Republican Support of For-Profit College Scams? Scott Walker and Ron Johnson oppose allowing more than 500,000 Wisconsin student loan borrowers to refinance their loans, just like you can a mortgage. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/26/2016]
Gov. Scott Walker Does Nothing for One Million Student Loan Borrowers Walker is making education less and less affordable, with serious consequences for our state economy and the best he can do is apparently hold photo ops with bureaucrats. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/23/2016]
Scott Walker: Next budget will include new performance-based funding for UW Gov. Scott Walker will include new funding for the University of Wisconsin System that will be tied to how it performs in certain measures as part of his next budget proposal, a spokesman said Tuesday after UW officials laid out their request for tens of millions of dollars in new state support. But Walker still […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/10/2016]
Scott Walker calls for extending UW tuition freeze in next state budget Gov. Scott Walker says he wants to extend the freeze on University of Wisconsin System tuition for another two years. The Republican governor also told UW and most other state agencies they should not anticipate new funding in his next budget. UW officials and supporters have called for greater state funding for the System after […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 08/02/2016]
Republican National Convention Student Loan Debt Tally: 43 Million Americans With $1.3 Trillion in Student Loan Debt, 0 Mentions in Addresses of Rep. Paul Ryan, Rep. Sean Duffy and Sen. Ron Johnson Speeches of three Wisconsin officials – Reps. Paul Ryan and Sean Duffy and Sen. Ron Johnson – contained zero references to the crisis of student debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/20/2016]
UW System putting off repairs, renovation — but at what cost? (C)ampuses have accumulated a backlog of fixes needed at older buildings.. The UW System collectively has more than 1,900 buildings of all shapes, sizes and ages. Many were built during the post-World War II enrollment surge of the 1950s and 1960s, and are wearing out, according to university officials. Another building boom occurred in the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/02/2016]
Would Trump University Have Gotten Less Scrutiny in Wisconsin Under Law Change Proposed by Gov. Walker After Taking $10,000 Trump Contribution? Donald Trump gives Scott Walker the maximum contribution for his re-election campaign, Scott Walker turns around and seeks to make oversight of the for-profit college racket more difficult. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/09/2016]
Scott Walker: Trump donation was not accompanied by any Trump U conversations The liberal group One Wisconsin Now raised questions about the timing of that proposal in relation to the ongoing Trump University investigation and Trump's donation to Walker. [Capital Times, 06/08/2016]
Gov. Scott Walker: Despite doom-and-gloom rhetoric, we didn’t eliminate UW tenure We eliminated the “job for life” guarantee tenure once provided for faculty regardless of performance. Now we are asking for accountability and flexibility to add value to our university system. As for free speech, there should be equal protections for everyone on campus, not just tenured professors, to engage in a free and open debate […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/24/2016]
Leaving UW: Reduced funding, politics force fond faculty to say farewell Budget cuts and politics have combined to convince faculty — some who thought they would retire at the campus — to accept offers of the kind they’ve declined in the past and take their expertise and grant funding elsewhere. Years of declining public funding to the university, accelerated under Gov. Scott Walker, are undermining the […] [Capital Times, 05/14/2016]
Gov. Scott Walker Refuses to Help One Million Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers With Their Student Loan Debt, Wants Help Paying Off His From Disastrous Presidential Bid Scott Walker is now asking for campaign donations to pay off the massive debt from his failed 71 day campaign for President because his sons are in college. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/10/2016]
Scott Walker blasts professors as UW-Milwaukee faculty vote ‘no confidence’ in leaders UW-Milwaukee became the fourth University of Wisconsin System campus to see professors declare they have no confidence in UW’s leaders Tuesday, in a vote that prompted Gov. Scott Walker to weigh in with sharp criticism of the faculty. The Milwaukee professors joined colleagues at UW campuses in Madison, La Crosse and River Falls by stating […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 05/10/2016]
As Tax Filing Deadline Looms, Gov. Walker and GOP Legislature Miss Another Chance to Help Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican legislature did nothing as the student loan debt crisis worsens, refusing to act on the ‘Higher Ed, Lower Debt’ Act. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/18/2016]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker names specialist on student loan crisis The announcement drew criticism from One Wisconsin Now, a left-leaning advocacy group. Many in the state have called for allowing student loans to be refinanced, like mortgages and car loans. [UPI, 03/29/2016]
Scott Walker names student loan debt specialist One million Wisconsin student loan borrowers want action and Gov. Scott Walker's 'solution' is reassigning a bureaucrat to answer the phone. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/28/2016]
Changes to tenure, budget and Regents show extent of Scott Walker’s impact on UW Walker declined a request for an interview to discuss his vision for higher education in Wisconsin. Spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said he has sought to “make college more affordable while helping students get career-ready earlier.” “Walker’s top priority for higher education reform has been on helping Wisconsin students and working families to afford a great college […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/27/2016]
Walker’s college affordability bills pass, minus cornerstone provision Analiese Eicher said she believes Republicans only intended to pass "political talking points." The group has highlighted the issue of student loan debt for several years. [Capital Times, 03/17/2016]
Amid rough seas for UW System, wave of challenges hits UWM And then there’s the issue of state funding. Theoretically, every student in the UW System should have about the same amount of taxpayer support behind them. But that’s not the case. And although UWM officials are politically careful in getting across their points, it’s clear that behind closed doors the frustration is building. UWM’s share […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/04/2016]
Scot Ross: Give Gov. Scott Walker an ‘incomplete’ on student debt Make no mistake, Walker didn't create Wisconsin's student loan debt. But his attacks on higher education, combined with his anemic response to the $19 billion crisis, are much like his own college career: Incomplete. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/28/2016]
Walker picks campaign donor for University of Wisconsin Board of Regents A Milwaukee lawyer just named to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents by Gov. Scott Walker has been a frequent contributor to his campaign fund, donating $9,639.68 since 2010. Tracey Klein, a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, made seven contributions to Walker totaling $7,439.68 in the months running up to his 2014 […] [Capital Times, 02/20/2016]
Walker vs. Legislators: Addressing student loan debt crisis I would describe Walker’s alleged college affordability plan in the same way I would characterize his own personal higher education experience — woefully incomplete. [Badger Herald, 02/01/2016]
Higher ed proposals will help, but much more is needed to hold down college cost Wisconsin is one of the few states reducing aid to higher education, which isn’t a path to prosperity. Wisconsin needs to invest in its colleges to compete in a global economy and secure more good-paying jobs…Even with the governor’s tuition freeze, the cost of higher education is a much heavier load than it used to […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/31/2016]
Is state shorting higher education? \| Reports suggest so; Walker office says no Among the 48 states with approved budgets, Wisconsin ranked No. 2 for highest percentage cut (8.1%) behind Arizona (14%). It was the third consecutive year that state funding for higher education on average increased across the country as the economy recovers. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers cut $250 million in funding to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/31/2016]
Critics say UW tenure policy up for adoption won’t protect academic freedom Vanness said the policy reflects what he dubbed Walker’s “New Wisconsin idea,” under which the university’s mission “is only to train the workforce for the jobs of today, not to search for the truth and lay the groundwork for the industries of tomorrow.” UW’s aspirational mission of searching for truth, the Wisconsin Idea, was eliminated […] [Capital Times, 01/30/2016]
UW-Extension considers cutting services to absorb budget hit University of Wisconsin-Extension officials want to absorb Gov. Scott Walker’s budget cuts by reducing the number of agents and researchers helping people with everything from growing crops to family finances…Extension Provost Aaron Brower said this week that the 700-person Cooperative Extension, the branch that assists people with local issues, could shed up to 80 positions. […] [Associated Press, 01/29/2016]
Assembly committee approves Scott Walker’s college affordability bills on party-line vote Opponents of the legislation have argued those tax breaks are less per year than what some people pay toward their loans each month, and that they only help a small fraction of the estimated 815,000 Wisconsinites with student loan debt. Democrats on the committee tried to amend the bill to include a proposal they’ve introduced […] [Capital Times, 01/29/2016]
Student Debt Rises, Gov. Walker and Republican Legislature Refusing to Clean Up Their Mess A newly-released report shows Wisconsin as one of only nine states that have adopted their budget cutting funding for higher education. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/26/2016]
Governor ‘Incomplete’ on Student Debt I would describe Scott Walker’s college affordability scheme the same way I would characterize his own personal higher ed experience — woefully incomplete. [Scot Ross, 01/25/2016]
‘Politics First’ Gov. Walker Hand-Picks Who He’ll Listen To and Who He Tells About His Plan on Student Debt That Fails to Help Borrowers The Governor has been advertising a 'listening tour' as an opportunity for citizens to share their opinions on issues with him is not open to the general public. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/25/2016]
State of Gov. Walker’s Response to Student Loan Debt Crisis: ‘Woefully Incomplete’ Gov. Scott Walker has a glaring omission in his plan on student debt – any help lowering the monthly payments for Wisconsin borrowers [One Wisconsin Now, 01/19/2016]
Minnesota Gets Student Loan Re-Fi Program While Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Blames Connecticut for His Inaction Meanwhile in Wisconsin, borrowers got a new excuse from Gov. Scott Walker for his continued opposition to common-sense refinancing legislation. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/15/2016]
Walker half-solutions don’t come close to fixing Wis. higher ed crisis he caused Feeling the heat from One Wisconsin Now, Gov. Scott Walker felt the need this week to try to look like he was do something on the issue of student loans and the costs of higher education. [Daily Kos, 01/15/2016]
Gov. Scott Walker Refuses to Help Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers Refinance Their Loans to Lower Monthly Payments, Blames Connecticut Gov. Scott Walker continues to oppose a common sense plan that could help student loan borrowers by allowing them to refinance at a lower interest rate. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/12/2016]
Wisconsin rolls out college affordability plan: more grants, tax breaks Walker "has come up with his most ridiculous excuse to date for his intransigence on the refinancing issue, blaming Connecticut." [UPI, 01/12/2016]
Scott Walker: Package of bills will make college more affordable Borrowers paying back their student loans would get a bigger break on their taxes and more students at Wisconsin’s technical colleges could receive need-based aid under bills Gov. Scott Walker unveiled Monday that are aimed at making higher education in the state more affordable. Critics said the plan didn’t do enough to help student loan […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/12/2016]
Scott Walker announces GOP college affordability initiative Forgive the debt, or allow students to refinance their loans at lower rates under the Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill. The first would cost $19 billion, the other, costs nothing. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/11/2016]
Legislators pitch competing student debt bills Scot Ross, executive director of liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said refinancing student loans is one of the best ways to solve the student loan "crisis." [Appleton Post-Crescent, 01/11/2016]
Gov. Walker and Legislative Republicans’ Student Debt Plan Denies Real Help to Wisconsin Borrowers With Student Debt Any plan that doesn’t include simple, common sense student loan refinancing reform is not a serious attempt to help with the student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/11/2016]
Devil’s Advocates Radio: January 14, 2016 One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross appeared on the Devil's Advocates radio show to discuss Gov. Scott Walker's bogus student loan debt plan. [Devil's Advocates Radio, 01/08/2016]
Gov. Walker: Make ‘Higher Ed, Lower Debt’ Student Loan Refinancing Bill Your 2016 Resolution One Wisconsin Now is asking Gov. Scott Walker to put passage of the student loan reform and refinancing bill at the top of his 2016 New Year’s Resolution list. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/30/2015]
Anxieties persist that state projects pipeline could be drying up As Gov. Scott Walker pledged would happen, plans to build an addition to a prominent UW-Madison dairy building are moving forward despite lawmakers’ recent sparring over the state’s level of construction debt. [DailyReporter, 12/10/2015]
Gov. Walker on Student Loan Debt Crisis: ‘Tweeting Instead of Leading’ Walker continues to reject the common sense reforms of the Higher Ed, Lower Debt Act to help borrowers to refinance student loans at lower interest rates. [One Wisconsin Now, 12/09/2015]
Wisconsin Students to Miss Out on Their Share of $102 Million Settlement With For-Profit College Chain Over Shady Business Practices When it comes to helping students ripped off by a for-profit college chain, Walker was nowhere to be found. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/24/2015]
Debate on Solutions to Student Loan Debt Crisis Heats Up Student loan debt and the need for reform of a broken system will be front and center in Wisconsin as Hillary Clinton visits the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/10/2015]
Report: Property taxes, rates drop in southeastern Wisconsin Republicans have repeatedly cut general fund support to K-12 schools and the UW System to pay for tax breaks disproportionately benefiting the wealthy and corporations. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/03/2015]
The Reality of Scott Walker’s Record on Higher Education Gov. Scott Walker likes to tout his tuition freeze, but what he isn’t telling you is that the freeze came after he had already significantly cut state support for higher education in the State of Wisconsin. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/06/2015]
Gov. Walker’s Refusal to Embrace Proposal to Allow Refinancing of Student Loans Goes From Mystifying to Appalling Recent financial disclosures from Walker reveal that, like 43 million other Americans, his children have taken on student loan debt to pay for their higher education. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/04/2015]
Student Activists Look to State Gov’ts When Uncle Sam Looks Other Way We have state-based legislation we are pushing in Wisconsin. We think that states should be able to provide refinancing for folks who have student loans. [The Street, 08/01/2015]
Scott Walker’s Bankrupt Student Loan Debt Claim Scott Walker will say and do anything to get elected. But on student loan debt, he’s flat out lying to the 43 million Americans, and their families, who have $1.3 trillion in debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/22/2015]
Scott Walker Is Drowning Students In Debt One Wisconsin Now has helped launch “HOLD YOUR BREATH,” a graphic ad depicting an individual drowning to symbolize the plight of Americans burdened by student debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/30/2015]
Ad targeting Scott Walker says college graduates are ‘drowning’ in student debt Gov. Scott Walker is the target of a graphic new ad launched by three liberal groups who say he's been the "worst governor in America" for the country's student debt problem. [Capital Times, 06/29/2015]
Guest view: Scott Walker’s Wisconsin is no model to follow People who read Gov. Scott Walker’s recent column deserve to know the truth about his record on the economy. Tax cuts for corporation do not create jobs. Education creates jobs, which creates customers for small businesses. [Holmen Courier-Life, 06/11/2015]
Wisconsin’s Great Cost Shift Declining financial support for higher education has shifted costs onto consumers, increased student loan debt and decreased the affordability of higher ed. [One Wisconsin Institute, 05/11/2015]
1T Day: Worst. Anniversary. Ever. Saturday marks three years since the student loan debt Americans are taking on to pay for their education and job training crossed the one trillion dollar mark. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/24/2015]
Budget committee to consider cutting board that oversees for-profit colleges That Gov. Walker would propose gutting state oversight of the predatory practices all too common in this industry suggests he either doesn’t understand the problem or just doesn’t care. [Capital Times, 04/17/2015]
Gov. Walker’s Budget Plan for Fewer Protections for Students From Predatory For-Profit College Industry Up for Joint Finance Consideration That Gov. Walker would propose gutting state oversight of the predatory practices all too common in this industry suggests he either doesn’t understand the problem or just doesn’t care. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/16/2015]
No Joke: Gov. Walker’s 2015 Budget Plan for Higher Education So Bad University of Wisconsin Forced to Raise Tuition Before it Passes Today’s vote by the Board of Regents is a grim preview of what’s to come under Gov. Walker’s 2015 budget. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/10/2015]
Gov. Walker’s 2015 Budget Scheme Already Resulting in Tuition Hikes, Could Limit Wisconsin Students Access to University of Wisconsin School of Their Choice The UW System Board of Regents Finance Committee today approved large tuition increases for out-of-state students attending UW schools and for students seeking advanced degrees. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/09/2015]
Gov. Scott Walker’s Phony Badger Boosterism Being a true Badger fan means supporting the university system that the extraordinary student athletes of the UW men’s basketball team have so ably represented. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/06/2015]
Arena plan prompts different reactions from area groups Scot Ross, executive director of One Wisconsin Now, a liberal group, said his organization had "serious questions about the priorities of Gov. Walker." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/20/2015]
Scott Walker budget would remove oversight of for-profit colleges "The for-profit college industry has engaged in the kinds of tactics and activities that should earn them more, not less, scrutiny," said Analiese Eicher, program director for the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 02/16/2015]
Walker calls for elimination of for-profit college watchdog agency A proposal in Gov. Scott Walker’s two-year budget would likely make Wisconsin the only state without oversight of for-profit colleges, at a time when many others are ramping up their level of supervision over colleges that face heavy scrutiny throughout the nation. “I don’t know of any other state that would not have some kind […] [Capital Times, 02/16/2015]
Scott Walker, the Wisconsin Idea and the race for 2016 "GOP primary voters don't reject the notion that public education is a public good that creates jobs and opportunity," said Scot Ross, executive director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now. [Capital Times, 02/06/2015]
The War on the Wisconsin Idea Rather than reinforcing the university's commitment to public service, Walker made clear he does not consider public education a virtue worth preserving. [Adelaide Davis, 02/05/2015]
Gov. Walker Explanations of ‘Drafting Error’ Laughable, Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts to University System and Unlimited Tuition Increases No Joke While Gov. Walker attempts to explain away either an intentional attack on the Wisconsin Idea, he is standing by egregious cuts that will hurt current and prospective UW students and explode student loan debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/05/2015]
Scott Walker: Scrapping ‘Wisconsin Idea’ was a ‘drafting error’ Quick to capitalize on the "drafting error" buzz, the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now tweeted a series of #draftingerror digs on the governor, a likely 2016 candidate for president. [Capital Times, 02/04/2015]
Walker says state budget won’t eliminate Wisconsin Idea Ross said if Walker hadn’t intended to seek that change, he would have said right away that it was a drafting error, rather than saying that hours later. [Badger Herald, 02/04/2015]
Gov. Walker Sticks Middle Class, Schools and Students With Tab for His Fiscal Mismanagement Walker’s higher education budget is a recipe for more even more student loan debt for a nation that already has 40 million Americans who worked hard for their education or job training. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/03/2015]
Scot Ross: Scott Walker’s budget would explode student loan debt Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s recently unveiled higher education budget plans would only exacerbate the burgeoning student loan debt crisis. [Capital Times, 02/02/2015]
Take it to the Bank: Gov. Walker’s Budget Plan Will Explode Student Loan Debt In Wisconsin Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s recently-unveiled higher education budget plans will only exacerbate the burgeoning student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/30/2015]
Walker proposed $300 million cut to UW system in his 2015 budget. `State lawmakers responded mostly along party lines to Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut funding to the University of Wisconsin System by 13 percent over the next two years. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Walker will propose turning the 13 four-year campuses and 13 two-year colleges of the UW System into a public authority, […] [Capital Times, 01/28/2015]
Gov. Walker Proposes Big Cuts to University of Wisconsin System, Big Tuition Hikes for Wisconsin Students and Big Payday for Milwaukee Bucks Gov. Scott Walker today announced he is calling for $300 million in budget cuts to the University of Wisconsin System and allowing unlimited tuition hikes beginning in 2017. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/27/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Praises President Obama’s Call for Free Community College in State of the Union Address President Obama's vision for an educated, well-trained, debt free workforce stands in marked contrast to what we've gotten in Wisconsin from Gov. Scott Walker. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/20/2015]
One Wisconsin Now Enthusiastically Supports President Obama’s Proposal for Free Community College Tuition Because elected officials like U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Gov. Scott Walker have failed to act in the interests of Wisconsin’s nearly one million student loan borrowers. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/09/2015]
Walker Inaugural Address Ignores One Million Wisconsin Student Loan Borrowers What he didn't do was use any of those words to call for desperately needed reform for one million student loan borrowers in Wisconsin, and forty million more across the country. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/05/2015]
As Percentage of Wisconsin Graduates With Student Loan Debt Rises, GOP Leaves Borrowers Out in the Cold It is appalling Gov. Walker and the Republican legislative majority have again turned their back on the hard working college graduates saddled with massive education debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/13/2014]
One Wisconsin Now slams Scott Walker’s tech school tour Scot Ross of One Wisconsin Now questions Governor Scott Walker’s motive as the Republican tours five of the state’s 16 technical colleges just two days after being elected to a second term. “He’s using technical colleges as a photo-op as he prepares to make another run for higher office and it’s a sad indictment on […] [Wisconsin Radio Network, 11/09/2014]
Mentions of ‘Washington’ Equal ‘Wisconsin’ in Gov. Walker’s Election Night Speech Walker's eleven-minute speech mentioned Wisconsin ten times, Washington nine times and America twelve times. A stunning display that Wisconsin's Governor has already moved on to his next electoral objective. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/05/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Student Loan Horror Show Premieres at ‘TheWalkerDead.com’ One Wisconsin Now is using Halloween to debut a new graphic depiction of the horrors of Gov. Scott Walker’s opposition to common sense student loan reforms for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/31/2014]
Wisconsin Minimum Wage, Maximum Student Debt Tour Counters Walker Bus Stops U.S. Army Veteran and UW student Saul Newton will counter Gov. Walker's bus tour today with his own “Wisconsin Minimum Wage, Maximum Student Debt Tour.” [One Wisconsin Now, 10/29/2014]
Mary Burke Supports Student Loan Debt Reform Gov. Walker doesn't support common sense Reforms, like allowing Wisconsin's 800,000 borrowers to refinance loans at lower market rates. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/28/2014]
Walker Ad Can’t Hide Failing Record on Higher Ed, Student Loan Debt In a deceptive new ad, the flailing campaign of Gov. Scott Walker is trying to whitewash his disastrous record on student loan debt and higher education. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/20/2014]
MEMO: A $1.2 Trillion Crisis Students, borrowers and their families are increasingly being squeezed by a system in which dramatic cuts to the university and technical colleges, skyrocketing tuition and profiteering by big banks and the federal government has resulted in nearly 40 million borrowers holding over $1.2 trillion nationally. Since 2000, student loan debt has grown exponentially, from $200 […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/17/2014]
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Report Exposes Issues in Private Student Loan System A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau points to the need for significant reform to the student loan system, including allowing refinancing. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/16/2014]
Mary Burke Repeats Call for Student Loan Reform to Aid Borrowers During an editorial board visit with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, today, Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke reiterated her call for student loan reform. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/15/2014]
Over 800,000 Reasons to Address Student Loan Debt in Gubernatorial Debate Students and borrowers have done the right thing. Mary Burke is listening to them and Gov. Walker is listening to the Wall Street bankers financing his campaign. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/10/2014]
Mary Burke Calls Student Loan Reform to Aid Borrowers Her Top Priority As Governor Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke told the Associated Press her “first priority” as governor would be passing the Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill to lower student debt. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/06/2014]
Gov. Walker Refuses to Help Student Loan Borrowers As His WEDC Lets Businesses That Owe Millions to State Off the Hook Gov. Scott Walker has steadfastly refused to support a common sense state plan to allow students loan refinancing, just like you can a mortgage. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/26/2014]
Pricetag of Student Loan Debt Continues to Rise: Recent Study Shows Housing Industry Loses $83 Billion in Sales Annually A recent study from a home building industry consulting firm estimates student loan debt is costing the U.S. housing market $83 billion annually in lost home sales. [One Wisconsin Institute, 09/24/2014]
What College Republicans get wrong about Higher Ed, Lower Debt The Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill was something substantive that dealt with student loan debt from a long-term perspective, and Republicans killed it without even a second glance. [Badger Herald, 09/17/2014]
Armed Services Veteran, UW Student Tells Gov. Walker Voter ID Law Will Not Keep Students From Polls in November The following are the statements of U.S. Army veteran and UW-Waukesha student Saul Newton delivered at a community event on the recent 7th Circuit Court decision lifting an injunction on the enforcement of a photo ID requirement. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/16/2014]
Gov. Walker Earns Failing Grades in Student Loan Debt 101 on College Tour A recent college campus tour undertaken by the increasingly desperate campaign of Gov. Scott Walker earns failing grades for failing to take on the $1.2 trillion student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 09/10/2014]
Walker discusses UW affordability at UW-Eau Claire visit One Wisconsin Now is blasting Walker because he hiked tuition, flat-lined financial aid, and let legislation that would have helped current student borrowers refinance their loans die. [WEAU-TV, 09/10/2014]
Gov Walker has failed to support a state bill allowing refinancing of student loans Recent graduate Teri Crabb, 50, stood outside the building where Walker spoke with signs decrying high student loan debts and a low minimum wage. Crabb graduated in May with more than $50,000 in debt and has not been able to find a job. She said she returned to college as an adult because she was […] [Green Bay Press Gazette, 09/10/2014]
Gov. Walker Needs to Go Back to School on Education Policy As students across Wisconsin head back to school, it’s Gov. Scott Walker who needs to be educated about the impact of his wrong-headed education policies. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/29/2014]
Workplace and Health Care Gender Inequality, Not Jobs, Making a ‘Wisconsin Comeback’ With the Regressive Policies of Gov. Scott Walker Gov. Scott Walker, who plunged the state to last in the Midwest in jobs on his watch, is touting a “Wisconsin comeback” in his stump speeches and TV ads. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/26/2014]
PBS NewsHour Features One Wisconsin Now’s Student Loan Debt Work for Tuesday Segment The national ‘PBS NewsHour’ program will feature One Wisconsin Now and the Institute’s work on the student loan debt crisis in a segment airing Tuesday evening. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/25/2014]
Jacob Schimmel: Walker breaks ‘covenant’ with students Common sense would tell you that when crucial educational programs are cut, people are going to make a lot of noise. But under the noise, Gov. Scott Walker was able to swiftly yet quietly eliminate a program that this state’s students are in dire need of — the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars program. [La Crosse Tribune, 08/25/2014]
Gov. Walker Conducts Photo-Op at For-Profit College Chain Under Investigation by Attorneys General Gov. Walker is visiting a branch of ITT Tech which operates 145 campuses in 35 states and is one of four for-profit colleges under investigation by multiple attorneys general across the country. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/28/2014]
GOP-Led Committee Studying Technical College System Ignoring Issues of Affordability, Student Debt A GOP-controlled committee examining changes to the governance and funding sources of the Wisconsin Technical College System appears poised to ignore the critical issue of affordability for students. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/24/2014]
Latest Poll in Governor’s Race Gives Clues to Walker, GOP Push to Make it Harder for Students and Young People to Vote Now we see why Gov. Walker and his lapdog Republican controlled legislature were so eager to erect new barriers to young people voting – they’re overwhelmingly opposed to his record of cronyism, corruption and incompetence. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/24/2014]
Student Loan Debt Reform Boosts Burke to Commanding Lead Among Younger Voters The latest Marquette University Law poll shows former Trek Executive Mary Burke with a commanding lead of 48-35 among voters aged 18-29. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/23/2014]
Kleefisch Tech College Tour Ignores Walker Failures on Student Loan Debt Massive cuts, skyrocketing tuition and opposing reforms that would allow borrowers to refinance their loans, just like you can a mortgage or car loan – that’s the Walker-Kleefisch record. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/22/2014]
Youth Activists Call For Restoration Of In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants. Previous Walker Budget Ended Lower Tuitions For Undocumented Students Valeria Gonzalez, who is part of the student-led organization Youth Empowered in the Struggle, said Gov. Scott Walker was wrong to repeal in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in the 2011- 2013 state budget. Because of the repeal, undocumented students attending a University of Wisconsin school or technical college in Wisconsin must pay out-of-state tuition. “We […] [Wisconsin Public Radio, 07/09/2014]
Walker Cut UW Tuition and Student Loan Debt One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross, who has become a national leader on student loan debt issues, decried Walker’s “stunning lack of leadership.” “Wisconsin’s student loan debtors had a pathway to real tax relief, but Governor Walker is only interested in tax breaks for corporations and the rich,” said Ross. “Drastic cuts to the […] [Capital Times, 06/11/2014]
New Data Reveals Depths of Student Loan Debt Crisis in Wisconsin New data released today by the White House, based on 2014 Department of Education statistics, reveal Wisconsin’s share of the $1.2 trillion student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/10/2014]
Seceding from the Union or Providing Relief from Student Loan Debt Crisis: Which is Better for the Wisconsin Economy? The GOP engaged in a debate over a party platform resolution authorizing the state to secede from the union. Democrats meanwhile are set to take on serious economic issues. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/05/2014]
Memo to Charlie: Gov. Walker’s Student Loan Debt Fail Gov. Walker and his sycophants like Charlie Sykes that regurgitate the Governor’s talking points can spin all they like. The fact remains that under Gov. Walker the student loan debt crisis in Wisconsin has gotten worse, not better. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/28/2014]
Scott Walker, Opponent Mary Burke Tied in Latest Poll Burke put state Democrats’ popular measure to refinance student debt in her jobs plan, pointing out the toll college loan debt takes on Wisconsin’s economy and on its struggling middle class. This issue resonates strongly with Wisconsin’s 800,000 student debtors, who rank debt relief among their top political concerns. And they receive a monthly reminder of […] [The Progressive, 05/21/2014]
Worst. Anniversary. Ever. It is past time for all of our leaders to lead on addressing student loan debt. They have over one trillion reasons to do so. [Jenni Dye, 04/24/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Tax Day Record: Failure on $80 Million ‘Higher Ed, Lower Debt’ Tax Relief Plan One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross railed against Walker for “his stunning lack of leadership” related to the stalled Higher Ed, Lower Debt student loan relief bill. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/15/2014]
Scott Walker should get behind Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill If Gov. Scott Walker really wants to help Wisconsin families with higher education expenses, he should support reforms on student loan debt instead of grabbing headlines about another tuition freeze at the University of Wisconsin, says progressive advocate Scot Ross. [Capital Times, 04/12/2014]
Wisconsin Republicans Add Hypocrisy to Early Vote Plan, Target Minorities, Seniors, Students and Persons With Disabilities With New Restrictions It seems that Republicans are all for equal access to the franchise, just so long as that voter is a likely Republican. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/17/2014]
State of the State: Missed Opportunity If we don't act we risk higher education at a university or job training at a technical college become nothing more than a multi-decade debt sentence instead of the path to the middle class. [Scot Ross, 01/24/2014]
Gov. Walker’s Latest Tax Scheme Misses Opportunity to Help With Student Loan Debt Crisis Missing from the reported details of the latest tax scheme to be unveiled by Gov. Scott Walker in this evening's “State of the State” address is any help for Wisconsin borrowers caught in the $1.2 trillion student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 01/22/2014]
Walker’s Choice: Millionaires or the Middle Class As Gov. Scott Walker ponders his vetoes to the 2013 state budget, a $30 million tax break with no income limits, worth up to $10,000, for parents already sending their children to private schools should be on the list. [One Wisconsin Now, 06/25/2013]
#WalkerAt20: Walker’s Education Agenda a Formula for Failure MADISON, Wis. — In his twenty years in office, Scott Walker has amassed a truly astounding record of failure. To commemorate the looming anniversary of his first election to office, One Wisconsin Now is highlighting a different and depressing failure of Gov. Walker every day, for twenty days. Under Gov. Walker no area has more […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/17/2013]
Walker, GOP Higher Education Agenda Fails to Include Tackling Trillion-Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis The unprecedented attack on United Council by Gov. Walker's allies reveals a contept for students and their interests that even goes beyond their indifference to the trillion-dollar student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/22/2013]
Gov. Walker Appears at Ceremony Nominating Wisconsin School for College Readiness Award, Fails to Act to Help Students Avoid Becoming Trapped in Trillion-Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis Gov. Scott Walker appeared this morning at an event to nominate a Wisconsin public high school to represent the state in a national competition recognizing efforts to prepare students for college and careers. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/05/2013]
Walker Campaign Co-Chair’s Foundation Funds Group Suing MATC Over Taxpayer-Finance Savings Plan The lawsuit by the WILL over a contract signed by the MATC comes thanks to the CEO of the Bradley Foundation, which has contributed $500,000 to WILL. [One Wisconsin Now, 05/01/2013]
Conservative law firm sues MATC over labor contract “Taxpayers can personally thank Gov. Walker’s campaign co-chair for this lawsuit, that if successful, will cost them $150 million,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now’s executive director, referring to the cost savings MATC said it achieved through bargaining with the union. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/01/2013]
Prelude to a Raid? Right-wing finger-pointing over reports of University of Wisconsin System surpluses is distracting from the real crisis, the trillion dollar plus student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/21/2013]
Research Shows Trillion Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis Hurts Economy, Falls More Heavily on Women Grads One trillion dollars in student loan debt is a bad thing for Wisconsin and the country. It is only made worse by that burden falling more heavily on women because of a gender pay gap. [One Wisconsin Now, 04/08/2013]
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Confirms One Wisconsin Institute Findings on Trillion Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis A new report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York paints a grim picture of the growing trillion dollar student loan debt crisis. [One Wisconsin Institute, 02/28/2013]
Gov. Walker’s Nearly $68 Billion Budget Allocates $0.0 For Direct Relief From Trillion Dollar Student Loan Debt Crisis Gov. Walker larders special interests with sweetheart deals and doles out millions in tax breaks for the wealthiest Wisconsinites. [One Wisconsin Now, 02/26/2013]
Walker failed to support a plan to address the growing student loan debt crisis The “Higher Ed, Lower Debt” bills, 2013 SB 376 & 2013 AB 498, were introduced 10/29/13 in the Senate & 11/8/13 in the Assembly. The bills called for the creation of a state student loan refinancing authority. Every single Democrat in the legislature co-sponsored the bills. No Republicans co-sponsored the bills. A public hearing was […] [Legislative Journal, 01/01/2013]
Walker’s 2013-15 Budget Failed to Invest in Higher Education The budget: Flatlined funding in student financial aid, even though tens of thousands of eligible students have been denied aid due to lack of funding Cut the UW System’s budget by $66 million for the biennium while freezing system’s ability to raise revenue from tuition. [2013 Assembly Bill 40, 01/01/2013]
Commission recommends increase in state college aid Citing swelling numbers of Wisconsin college students who are eligible for state aid, but denied because of limited state funding, the University of Wisconsin System, the state association for independent colleges, the state technical college system and the College of Menominee Nation jointly endorsed a commission finding Tuesday calling for increased college aid in the […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/03/2012]
One Wisconsin Now Statements Regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s Address to the Republican National Convention With a record like Gov. Walker’s, it’s no wonder why he was the opening act for the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Delaware tonight. [One Wisconsin Now, 08/27/2012]
Friedman Failures Drive Walker’s Wisconsin Scott Walker resurrected the late-Milton Friedman’s trickle down economic policies in Wisconsin, and it’s buried job creation for middle class families. [One Wisconsin Now, 07/30/2012]
Scott Walker’s Rhetoric Versus Reality MADISON, Wis. — Governor Scott Walker failed to tackle Wisconsin’s jobs crisis – posting six straight months of job losses here while nationally jobs are being added – and is now poised to take on “the truth” in his second State of the State address. In Gov. Walker’s one year in office he has failed […] [One Wisconsin Now, 01/24/2012]
UW System Responds to Additional Budget Cuts Reilly sent a letter to the DOA on Dec. 14 outlining how the UW System plans to deal with a budget lapse – or additional reduction in state aid – of at least $65.7 million or more than 37 percent of a 174.3 million cut across all state agencies that was imposed in the 2011-13 […] [Capital Times , 12/21/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Latest Scott Walker Failure: 9,700 More Jobs Gone Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding the latest failure from Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/16/2011]
Walker Allowed University of Wisconsin to raise tuition by 5.5% annually; Cut $250 million from System 2011 WI Act 32: On June 26, 2011, Walker signed the budget into law, which allowed the UW System to increase tuition 5.5% annually, over $107 million over the biennium. The tuition increase was allowed in part due to the $250 million in cuts made to the general program operations for the UW System by […] [2011 WI Act 32, 11/09/2011]
One Wis. Now Supporters Back to Skies Against Walker at Badger Game With University of Wisconsin Badgers’ football returning to Camp Randall Saturday after a several week road trip, One Wisconsin Now supporters will also be returning to the skies above with a message about the failure of Gov. Scott Walker and its impact on students. This week’s banner that will fly overhead for the two hours preceding […] [Scot Ross, 11/03/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Supporters Back to the Skies Against Gov. Walker at Badgers’ Football Game One Wisconsin Now supporters will also be returning to the skies above with a message about the failure of Gov. Scott Walker and its impact on students. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/02/2011]
UW Chancellors: Higher education cuts unfair UW-Stout and UW Eau Claire Chancellors contend the state’s latest round of budget cuts would unfairly burden Wisconsin’s four-year universities…The UW System comprises only 7 percent of the state budget and will get 38 percent of the cut for at least 174.3 million included in the 2011-2013 state budget. They will also include $65.6 million […] [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 10/26/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Supporters to ‘Take to the Air’ with Message to Gov. Walker at Badgers’ Football Game Fans on hand to cheer the University of Wisconsin Badgers’ football game Saturday will see a message about Gov. Scott Walker’s attacks on higher education. [One Wisconsin Now, 10/13/2011]
Our Posts #F*ckYouWashington You may have heard about the amazing outpouring of frustration and outrage realized this weekend over the ceaseless power of corporate special interests which own the Republicans and can occasionally rent a few Democrats in Congress. This, combined with a superficial and senationalistic horserace mentality by the national media have pushed the patience of the […] [Scot Ross, 07/23/2011]
Students Must Open Wallets a Bit More Students who attend the 26 campuses of the University of Wisconsin System and the state’s 13 liberal arts campuses will pay hundreds more in tuition this fall – ranging from $235 more a year at UW Colleges to $659 more a year at UW-Madison after the UW Board of Regents approved a 5.5 percent tuition […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 07/15/2011]
Walker broke campaign pledge and raised state fees to fill budget hole, including $107 million in tuition hikes on UW students In the 2011-13 budget, Walker increased fees by over $136 million: Eliminate registration exemption for certain investment advisors Certification fee for persons making title loans Nonprofit organization criminal history record check fee Beer wholesaler’s permit fee Vehicle title fee Class D skills test fee Electronic business transactions Firefighter and emergency medical technician license plates Tuition […] [Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 07/05/2011]
Walker gets ‘Pants on Fire’ rating after raising college tuition (major fee increase) Politi-Fact gave the Governor a “Pants on Fire Rating” after he promised he would pass a budget without fee increases yet the Legislative Fiscal Bureau had determined the budget would raise nine fees over two years by $133 million and reduce eight other fees by $22 million; a net increase in fees of $111 million. Some […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/01/2011]
Changes to the undocumented student status occurred as part of Walker’s 2011-13 Wisconsin state budget The Republican-crafted spending plan reshapes all corners of Wisconsin life, from how much Medicaid will cost to auto title loans to honoring former President Ronald Reagan to even drinking alcohol at the movies. Here’s a look at some of the ways the budget will reshape the state’s priorities and touch lives across Wisconsin:…If you’re a […] [Associated Press, 07/01/2011]
Walker cut over $71 million from Tech College System In the 2011-13 budget, Walker slashed over $71.6 million in state aid from the technical college system, a 30% reduction, and capped tech college’s ability to raise additional funds through property tax increases. (Legislative Fiscal Bureau Comparative budget summary, Technical College System, #4; 2011 Assembly Bill 40; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker’s first budget slashed funding for education by nearly $2 billion Headline: Wis. Gov. signs budget cutting education $1.85B. “Democrats assailed the budget as an attack on middle class values since it cuts funding for public schools by $800 million, reduces funding to the UW system by $250 million and cuts tax credits for poor people. It also reduces the amount schools can collect from property […] [CBS News, 06/26/2011]
Walker Reduced Immigrants’ Access to Education Youth who are the children of undocumented immigrants are no longer allowed to pay the resident tuition rate to attend the UW System or a technical college. They had the right to pay resident tuition, if they are graduates of a Wisconsin high school, have lived in the state for at least three years and […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
One Wisconsin Now Statements on Walker Signing Surrender to Wall Street, Corporations MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross released the following statements regarding Gov. Scott Walker’s planned signing of the 2011-13 Wisconsin state budget on Sunday. Walker’s budget includes tax breaks for corporations and the rich that will cost the state of Wisconsin taxpayers $2.3 billion over the next decade. At the same […] [One Wisconsin Now, 06/23/2011]
Before Walker repealed program, about 100 illegal immigrants paid in-state tuition in 2010-11 About 100 illegal immigrants took advantage of a law allowing them to pay in-state tuition at University of Wisconsin System schools in the 2010-11 academic year, according to a State Journal analysis, under a short-lived program that will likely expire July 1.Republican Gov. Scott Walker is expected to sign a two-year budget that will ban […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 06/21/2011]
Walker’s first budget included deep cuts, tuition hikes for UW System In March, UW-Eau Claire expected a $5.1 million cut based on Walker’s budget proposal, but that went up to $6.3 million with the version approved this week by the state Legislature. UW-Stout’s university’s spokesman, Doug Mell, said the $3.85 million cut estimated for UW-Stout based on earlier budgets would go above $4 million under the […] [Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 06/18/2011]
Public backlash to the split ultimately killed the proposal to spin off UW-Madison Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to break off the Madison campus from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System is dead. UW-Madison lobbyist Don Nelson said Friday talks continue with state lawmakers over what new flexibilities the Madison campus can be given to control its budget and make other decisions. But he said Walker’s proposal […] [Associated Press, 05/27/2011]
Walker’s proposal to break off UW-Madison dead Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to break off the Madison campus from the rest of the University of Wisconsin System is dead after a lack of support for the split… The two ongoing topics of debate are what freedoms will be granted to the campuses and how will they be implemented, and how will the governor’s […] [Associated Press, 05/27/2011]
Walker’s budget axed in-state tuition for undocumented students On the chopping block in Walker’s two-year budget proposal are early release programs for prisoners, in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, mandatory insurance coverage of contraceptives, college financial aid for high school grads who are good citizens and public financing for Supreme Court campaigns…Walker’s budget plan also would ax a Democratic initiative […] [Associated Press, 03/09/2011]
As Enrollment Shoots Up, funding falls for WI technical colleges State funding for Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges would drop to a dollar level not seen since the late 1980s, despite enrollment growth of 40% over the last decade, if cuts in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget ultimately gain approval, college officials said last week. That could lead to longer waiting lists for classes, more limited […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/07/2011]
Walker budget cuts in-state tuition for undocumented students Among the many provisions in his proposed state budget, Gov. Scott Walker wants to repeal a law that allows some undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at public universities. After years of battling to get that measure passed, Gov. Jim Doyle signed it into law in 2009. Before that students who were undocumented were charged […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 03/02/2011]
Proposed breaking UW-Madison away from System, appoint most of UW Board Republican Gov. Scott Walker would appoint a majority of a board that would run the University of Wisconsin-Madison independently of UW System governance under a plan spelled out in a document released Wednesday by UW-Madison officials. Because Walker would make those appointments, splitting UW-Madison from the UW System would give the new governor influence over […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 02/23/2011]
Walker gave speech opposing affirmative action and in-state tuition for undocumented students “Now more than ever Wisconsin needs a leader who is going to put Wisconsin families at the top of the list, for a place in the UW system basing appointments on merits and keep in state tuition affordable not allocating slots based on quotes or giving in state tuition to those who are here illegally. […] [Scott Walker, 05/22/2010]
Scott Walker on Higher Education: Not on Your Side Scott Walker references saving money to pay for his kids’ college education. Given the raise he gave himself, I guess his savings is going pretty well. [Anna Landmark, 04/03/2010]