A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS: WHO WILL WIN?
Find out who will walk away with a golden statue this weekend, and who will get snubbed ARTS University of Wisconsin-Madison
Complete campus coverage since 1892
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Sweatin’ the small stuff: Small costs for UW students add up to an expensive education FEATURES
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Thursday, February 19, 2009
GOP lawmakers gauge budget By Megan Orear THE DAILY CARDINAL
KRIS UGARIZZA/CARDINAL FILE PHOTO
Students take a break from class and enjoy the festivities at the annual Wisconsin Alumni Student Board’s All Campus Party last spring. WASB received full funding for the event Wednesday.
All Campus Party receives funding By Rory Linnane THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Associated Students of Madison granted the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board over $40,000 Wednesday for the All Campus Party. “It’s more than just a performance,” ASM Representative Johnny Tackett said. “It involves cultural experiences, and it’s an alcohol-free event. It’s really a good event for us representing
the University of Wisconsin and representing the state.” The funds will come from ASM’s Event Grant Fund. Of the fund, $29,650 will go toward hiring musical acts. Student Council debated granting an extra $25,000 to afford higherend performers, but the motion failed in a tie vote. “I don’t think it’s fiscally responsible for us to throw more money into a performance,”
Carl Fergus, the new chair of the Student Services Finance Committee, said. “It’s nice to go to, but it’s not educational.” WASB will also receive funds from corporate sponsors. ASM also voted Wednesday to sponsor the Domestic Partner Benefits Day of Action March 25 to encourage UW-Madison to offer domestic-partner benefits. party page 3
ASM constitution endures harsh feedback By Andrea Carlson THE DAILY CARDINAL
Student leaders went head to head in a debate over the best way to reform the Associated Students of Madison constitution Wednesday at Memorial Union. Jeff Wright, ASM Constitutional Committee Chair, and Chynna Haas, President of the Working Class Student Union, answered predetermined questions before taking questions from the audi-
ence at the end of the debate. Subjects of contention included the use and distribution of UW-Madison’s segregated fees. The “Vote No” and “Vote Yes” coalitions also expressed concern about the best way to reform the ASM constitution. Wright, who was arguing in favor of ASM reform, said he believes the new constitution represents an improvement to the current system of government. According to Wright, ASM
has been having participation issues due to the disenfranchisement of half the members of the student council. “There isn’t much coordination between the leadership and those that are elected,” Wright said. Wright described three main tasks ASM is expected to accomplish: appointing shared-governance committee members,
Governor Jim Doyle’s inclusion of tax increases and non-fiscal related policies in the budget introduced Tuesday is drawing criticism from Republican lawmakers. His budget proposal calls for an income tax increase for individuals earning over $300,000 a year, in addition to a 75-cent increase in the cigarette tax and a tax on oil companies’ profits. “The amount of taxes being raised outnumber the amount of cuts to government spending,” said state Sen. Neal Kedzie, R-Elkhorn. Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said a proposed $1.4 billion in tax increases aimed at businesses will
Budget breakdown $2.2 billion in cuts to state agencies, $174 million cut to UW System Elimination of film tax incentive program Early release of inmates 75-cent cigarette tax raise Statewide smoking ban Tuition freeze for modest income students Domestic partner registry 1 percent tax increase on incomes over $300,000 Interstate corporation tax
result in a “guaranteed loss of jobs.” Kedzie said the 1 percent, across the board cut in spending for state agencies Doyle proposed is “a step in the right direction,” but all the issues that do not focus on fiscal policy should not be included in the budget. “We’ve got domestic partnerships, prevailing wage law, red light traffic cameras, primary seatbelt enforcement, statewide smoking ban–these are things that don’t belong in a budget bill, these are issues that should be debated individually,” Kedzie said. State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, defended the smoking ban, saying it would save billions of dollars in health-care costs for smokers, most of which are picked up by taxpayers. According to Mikalsen, Nass has always opposed putting policy in the budget because it cheats the public out of the opportunity to testify on the issues. Mikalsen said the $1.74 million cut in UW System funding was within the expected range, but warned that losses to the system will likely be offset by a 5- to 6-percent tuition increase. Doyle proposed freezing tuition for UW System students whose household incomes fall under $60,000 a year, a move state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine, criticized. “If you’re successful, your parents are doing better, you’re going to end up paying much higher [tuition] than the person sitting next to you in class,” Vos said. According to Risser, the 2009-’11 budget is going to be difficult to pass. “It looks like at this point in time the Republicans are just going to vote as a block against the budget … The Democrats have to put together a coalition to pass it,” he said, adding it could be difficult because Democrats hold a slim majority in both houses.
Lady of the Lake
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Ruling allows Wisconsin judges to declare open partisanship By Charles Brace THE DAILY CARDINAL
A court ruling released Wednesday allowed Wisconsin judges to identify with a political party, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the state’s judiciary. U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb ruled judges should be allowed to identify with a party, directly ask for donations and endorse lawmakers in partisan offices. In the 65-page opinion, Crabb said rules banning those practices violate judges’ First Amendment rights, and the government should be hesitant of “limiting the discussions that candidates may have
with the public.” The state Supreme Court election will be held April 7. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge John Siefert, who sued the state because he wanted to remain a member of the Democratic Party, said the ruling will help future judicial elections. “I certainly agree we have a strong interest in a fair and open-minded judiciary,” he said, but added, “I don’t see how speaking out on issues or belonging to the Democratic party in any way compromises my neutrality as a judge.” Siefert said this ruling allows judges to raise money directly and allow
the public to make a more informed decision about a candidate. In the decision, Crabb said greater public financing might be necessary for more impartial judicial elections, and Siefert said such measures are needed to prevent the influence of wealthy special interests. Mike McCabe, executive director of the government watchdog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said the decision does nothing to restore public faith or confidence in judicial elections. judges page 4
ISABEL ALVAREZ/THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Statue of Liberty reappears on Lake Mendota as part of the Hoofers Winter Carnival after a 32-year hiatus.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”