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While the estimated figure for the cost of war in Iraq for Wisconsin taxpayers is around $7.3 billion and counting, the Wisconsin State Republican controlled Assembly is trying and is cutting funds for programs. Two of these programs were mentioned today in the La Crosse Tribune on-line.
A week before classes start at the UW system schools here in Wisconsin, 3,800 college students are still waiting around to see what kind of financial aid they will be able to get for the coming school year. A great number of students have been put on a waiting list for aid from Wisconsin Higher Education Grant program. Anyone who applied after June 26th was put on this list as it is a first come, first serve basis.
Governor Doyle and certain other Democrats in the state Senate proposed spending $50 million on the program, while the Republican controlled state Assembly proposed only $39 million be spent on the program. That is $11 million less than what Governor Doyle is pushing for. Many people are concerned that lower-income students may be deterrred from seeking an aducation at this time.
Also, changes to the Homestead Tax Credit would completely exclude single residents in Wisconsin, younger than age 65 who are recieving help now in lower income families. A 63 year old woman had been recieving around $700 per year from this credit, she would lose such help. This credit had been designed to help low-income homeowners and renters. The changes were made in the Wisconsin State Assemby Republican budget.
This means an estimated $80 million will be cut out of the program over 2 years and would affect more than 81,000 state residents.
The Homestead Tax Credit began in 1964 and only helped senior citizens at that time. The State Assembly wants to get the program back to it's original intent.
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