MADISON – The Wisconsin Technical College System is Wisconsin’s largest higher education system serving more than 274,000 students every year. We are in every community across the state, working closely with employer partners to deliver the local workforce they need to thrive in today’s global economy.
Currently, technical colleges are funded through a mix of state aid, student tuition and fees, and local property tax revenue. The local operating levy is integral to the relationships between technical colleges and local businesses and the communities they serve. This local investment and engagement drive technical colleges’ responsiveness to, and alignment with, the diverse needs of Wisconsin’s workers, employers, and communities. An amendment to AB 2 passed out of Committee yesterday, without an opportunity for public testimony, replaces colleges’ operational levy with state aid, eliminating local control of technical college programs and services.
The Wisconsin Technical College System and our 16 member colleges oppose AB 2 as amended and any proposals that would reduce our accountability and responsiveness to our local community and employer partners.
