Gubernatorial Hopeful Burke Campaigns at UW-Milwaukee

Mary Burke, the Democratic candidate for governor, spoke to a crowd of supporters packed into the Fireside Lounge at UW-Milwaukee Saturday afternoon about how hard it is becoming for people to become upwardly mobile, citing the rising cost of education as a major issue.

“Everyone deserves a fair shot to get ahead,” said Burke, adding that, “Scott Walker has given tax breaks to those at the top, while leaving 41,000 people on the waitlist for financial aid.”

However, Burke also iterated that she does not support the recent tuition freeze, saying it’s not a long-term solution.

“All that will do in the long term is strangle our universities, so that they’re not able to grow.”

According to Burke, we need to have an educated work force. In her speech, she pointed out that 70 percent of the jobs of the future will require a level of education above high school

Burke criticized Gov. Walker’s decision to cut $800 million from K-12 education as well as the $250 million cut from the UW system.

“I want to prioritize higher education in our budget,” said Burke

Walker’s campaign did not respond to several attempts for comment.

Burke proposed bringing down the cost of student loans. Her plan includes making payments to student loans tax deductible, as well as raising the college tuition deduction on state taxes.

Burke also proposed a refinancing authority for student loans, saying there’s no reason for the thousands of Wisconsinites currently paying off student debt to be paying interest rates as high as 9 percent.

“The state can actually borrow at a much, much lower interest rate,” says Burke

Burke talked about her plan for what she says would be getting the Wisconsin economy back on track. As part of this mission, she talked about prioritizing job growth, as well as raising the state minimum wage.

Burke criticized Walker’s comments at the debate Friday night when he said that Wisconsin doesn’t have a jobs problem.

“Job growth is dead last in the Midwest,” said Burke.

Burke also called out Walker for his lack of leadership.

“I want to be a governor who acknowledges the challenges that we have, is going to focus on the ideas that are going to move us ahead, and going to make sure that Wisconsin has a vibrant, growing, thriving economy,” Burke said.

Prior to the start of the speech, Owen Kline a resident of Shorewood and Burke supporter, said he was looking forward to hearing her speak, and that he was interested in hearing, “more details regarding her economic plan” as well as hearing her speak about, “women’s issues.”

Jim Stall of Cambridge Wisconsin was interested in hearing Burke talk about any “possible changes to current collective bargaining rights.”

The political leanings of the attendees were exemplified in the jeers and boos coming from the crowd at every mention of Scott Walker.