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La Crosse to use all of the $664,800 included in the state budget for financial aid as part of its Growth, Quality and Access plan may have hit a roadblock in the state Legislature.
Only $225,400 now is earmarked for financial aid in the plan. Legislative approval is needed to allow UW-L to use the additional $439,400.
But state Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, said a bill making the change has been referred to the Joint Finance Committee by Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, even though Joint Finance will not meet again before the session ends this week.
“He sent it to Joint Finance to die,” Kapanke said.
Sending the bill to the Joint Finance Committee was unnecessary because it doesn’t have any new spending, said state Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse.
“Any bill sent to joint finance right now is the equivalent of it being on life support,” Shilling said.
But Decker aide Carrie Lynch said the bill had a fiscal note that requires it be sent to Joint Finance. She added Joint Finance still could convene again this session.
“We are very disappointed to learn we might not have the ability to provide additional financial aid to our students,” said UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow, “and we hope our legislators will find a way to make sure we are given that authority.”
Tribune Opinion editor Richard Mial contributed to this story.
KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.
