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"This budget, now signed into law, makes historic and devastating cuts to public education in Wisconsin. As we move forward building Wisconsin's economy, we must prioritize increased investments in students and their public schools. One step we can take that will build a better future is to improve the fairness and transparency of our school finance system. It is broken. Before the next state budget in two years, we can fix our school finance system by adopting my 'Fair Funding for Our Future' recommendations.
"Wisconsin has a long and proud tradition of supporting public education, recognizing its important role as the foundation of our democracy. Now is the time to raise the level of discourse about public education: our students and their schools and educators and the outstanding service they provide to communities throughout Wisconsin. Ours is a public education system that leads the nation in high school graduation rates and whose students consistently score high marks on college entrance exams and Advanced Placement coursework.
"While the negative effects of this 2011-13 budget will be felt well into the future, come September, our schools will be filled with children, and our parents, teachers, and administrators will be working to ensure our students are prepared to become contributing members of our communities. Once again, our schools and educators have been asked to do more with less, and we must all join the effort to ensure their success. I encourage you to get involved in your local public schools and libraries, perhaps by volunteering in a classroom; becoming a tutor; or attending a play, musical, or athletic event. I invite everyone in Wisconsin, regardless of political affiliation, to join me in supporting public schools and libraries."