Scott Walker in 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Education: Private refinancing options for student loan debt

We need to focus on the price of going to college in the first place. For the past four years, we froze undergraduate, in-state tuition for students at all University of Wisconsin campuses. A typical student saves more than $6,300 over four years when compared to the trend before the freeze.

During the decade before our freeze, tuition went up 118%. Ironically, some of the people who were around when UW tuition went up more than 8% on average each year now want the state to create a new government bureaucracy to refinance student loans.

We found a better way to help people with high debt. Our administration has worked with Wisconsin's very own financial institutions to promote refinancing options available to those with student loan debt. Wisconsin credit unions and banks offer refinancing at rates that are the same or better than what is offered by many government-supported programs in other states.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Wisconsin Legislature Jan 10, 2017

On Technology: $35 million to expand broadband access grant program

Access to high speed and reliable internet service is something we heard about at nearly every listening session. Therefore, I am proposing the state invest $35.5 million more to expand our broadband access grant program and for our efforts to help upgrade technology, and train teachers from small and rural school districts. That would bring our total investment to $52 million. The great thing about the Broadband Expansion Grant program is that once the high-speed network is in, the rest is up to the local telecommunication provider--there is no need for a permanent government program.

I call on the members of the state legislature to pass our plan as soon as possible to help connect everyone in the state. Good internet and cellular connections are important for a strong economy and quality of life.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Wisconsin Legislature Jan 10, 2017

The above quotations are from 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Scott Walker. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018