03/06/09 Sisters on the Planet
3/6/2009
Monday, March 2, 2009 – Forum on Higher Education
Lt. Governor Lawton provided the keynote address for the St. Norbert College “Access and Affordability” forum Monday evening. Lawton emphasized the importance of higher education for all Wisconsin residents and outlined the various options available to make college more affordable.
"Nothing is more important, in a time of economic crisis, than to keep our wits about us," said Lawton, "and to stay focused on how we're going to drive out of this crisis. Wisconsin needs more college grads; this is no time for people to think that they can't afford higher education."
Lawton detailed Governor Doyle’s state budget proposal, which includes a $27.3 million increase for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) program, and an additional $12 million for University of Wisconsin System students who do not receive WHEG aid but who have unmet financial need. This aid is expected to help around 40,000 students whose families make less than $60,000 a year.
The presidents of UW-Green Bay, St. Norbert College, the Bellin College of Nursing, Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College, and the College of the Menominee Nation also attended the event. Each president described the financial packages available at their institutions.
Left: Lt. Governor Lawton greets participants of the “Access and Accessibility” Forum.
St. Norbert president Thomas Kunkel hosted area institutions of higher ed and invited prospective students and families to learn more about affordable opportunities in the region.
"Despite the economy, higher education remains accessible in Wisconsin," he said. "We understand the value of what well-educated citizens bring to their communities, and we want to make sure that Wisconsin residents can afford Wisconsin institutions, and know about the aid available."
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 – Arts Day
Lt. Governor Lawton joined over 600 representatives of Wisconsin’s arts industry and community Wednesday to celebrate the annual Arts Day.
Left: Lt. Governor Lawton addresses the attendees of the 2009 Arts Day.
At the event, Lawton highlighted the central role the arts and culture industry plays economic recovery and development and outlined efforts of the Wisconsin Arts Board to ensure economic stimulus dollars were targeted to this important part of every Wisconsin community’s infrastructure. She described the role of the Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education in improving education and workforce development to position our state to prosper.
Lawton voiced her support for the 2009 Arts Legislative Agenda. The 2009 Arts Legislative Agenda encourages state investment in the arts through funding for the Wisconsin Arts Board, reinstatement of the film industry tax incentives and support for creative opportunities for Wisconsin students.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 – Oxfam America’s Sisters on the Planet Initiative
As an official ambassador for Oxfam America’s Sisters on the Planet initiative, Lt. Governor Lawton met with the Wisconsin congressional delegation and environmental leaders in Washington D.C Wednesday and Thursday. Lawton visited the offices of Senators Kohl and Feingold and Representatives Baldwin and Moore. She also met with fellow Sister on the Planet and California Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, who serves as chair of the House Subcommittee on Intelligence Community Management. Freshly returned from Afghanistan, Congresswoman Eshoo reminded her fellow ambassadors about the pivotal role that climate change plays in maintaining our national security and defining our image as a world leader.
During meetings Lawton advocated funding for adaptation in proposed climate change legislation, underlining the heightened vulnerability of low-income women here in the U.S. and around the world. Discussions of environmental issues ranged from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy technology, supporting international climate change adaptation programs, and creating jobs in the green economy. Lawton met with Sharon Hanshaw, executive director of Coastal Women for Change, about climate change adaptation programs at work in the Gulf Coast area.
Other ambassadors joining Lawton included Linda Adams, Secretary of California’s Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Kristie Ebi, author of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Human Health; Mary Wilson, President of the League of Women Voters; and Rev. Miriam Burnett, President of Resource and Promotion of Health Alliance, Inc.
Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Their Sisters on the Planet initiative seeks to mitigate the effects of global climate change, especially for women in impoverished countries who feel its effects most acutely.
