Southern Wisconsin Times

Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) recently highlighted his engagement with a student organization at Blackhawk Technical College (BTC), which advocates for the needs of current and future students.

"I had a great meeting with members of Blackhawk Technical College’s Student Government Association earlier this month," he wrote in a Facebook post. "We discussed the importance of affordable education, including expanding Open Educational Resources (OER) to make textbooks and materials more accessible." Spreitzer also emphasized Governor Tony Evers' proposal to include a $3 million investment in grants for OERs and course materials for technical colleges in the 2025-2027 state budget.

According to BTC's website, the Student Government Association is affiliated with the Wisconsin Student Government Association. Students involved represent BTC at meetings and conferences and engage with state legislators on key issues.

The State of Wisconsin Budget in Brief 2025-27 outlines that $3 million in general purpose revenue will be allocated over two years to provide grants to technical colleges. This initiative aims to reduce student costs by developing open educational resources and course materials.

Spreitzer noted in a news release that the governor’s budget proposal includes investments in various sectors, such as agriculture through programs like Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE), Farmland Preservation, expanded county conservation staffing, and a Value-Added Agricultural Grant program. "It also includes investments in local governments through increased funding for local road projects, $125 million for local capital projects, and better tools to promote housing development," he said. Spreitzer expressed satisfaction that these issues, which he previously discussed with Governor Evers concerning the 15th Senate District, are included in the budget proposal.

He added his support for Gov. Evers’ budget proposal and expressed eagerness to collaborate with colleagues across party lines to deliver a budget focused on reducing costs, supporting seniors, and uplifting children.