Begin the Testimony
University of Wisconsin-Madison Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Molly Jahn opened up the public hearing by urging the committee to continue investment in post-high school education. She said the state invests $110,000 per child in K-12, but said that investment is lost if those children don't continue their education in the state college system.
Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk spoke next, urging the committee to support the Early Childhood Initiative, and urged them to reauthorize and expand the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, as Gov. Jim Doyle's budget requests.
Falk criticized the budget for not providing enough aid for counties to house probation and parole holds in county jails. "P & P holds are the single biggest reason Dane County has jail overcrowding," she said. "P & P holds are the state's responsibility; please accept your responsibility and don't put it on the county's shoulders."
Speakers are limited to three minutes each.
Labels: Arlington_Meeting, Falk, Joint Committee on Finance, UW
