Public education is a keystone of American democracy. It is in some mild jeopardy in Wisconsin from vouchers for public payment of tuition in private schools in Milwaukee and revenue caps throughout the state. Revenue caps prevent only insufficient increases in local property taxes - not enough even to compensate for inflation. Decreasing enrollments are especially a problem in districts like Monroe because of inevitable additional reductions in state aid, which are paid by the number of students. Our recent successful referendum takes the pressure off for only a few years, when another referendum will be required.

Ultimately, securing quality public education in Wisconsin will require increasing state financial aid to education from general revenue because of districts with low property values.

Revenue caps are supported by the vast majority of our Republicans in the State Senate and Assembly. Some of these representatives attend local school functions quite regularly. Many citizens are not aware of their voting records. There is an urgent, if (perhaps) only temporary, need for a majority in our state Assembly who are fully aware of this threat to public education. John Waelti is eminently qualified for our support for State Assembly by temperament, education, experience and knowledge of Monroe.