“I can tell you non-Milwaukee legislators stand behind this amendment … . I can tell you we’ll have bipartisan support."
– Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine and chairman of the Senate Education Committee, on a compromise education package, which includes provisions to give the state superintendent new authority in struggling school districts.
"This is an amendment specifically for Milwaukee Public Schools and yet Milwaukee legislators, the overwhelming majority of us, weren’t even aware people were putting this bill together."
– Rep. Annette "Polly" Williams, D-Milwaukee and chairwoman of the Assembly Education Reform Committee.
"I think we’re at a tipping point … I believe we need to tip this thing in a way that young people can be successful."
– Gregory Thornton, the incoming superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, hinting at "some housekeeping" he’ll have to undertake in the district.
"Had we not done the $12.6 million in changes, we’d actually be in a hole right now."
– Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, crediting a series of cost-cutting moves last year for the announcement that the county’s 2009 budget ran a surplus of $8.9 million.
"We’ve got to get on the stick. We can’t let the Tea Party become the only voice America hears."
– Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, urging Wisconsin Democrats at the state party’s annual Founders Day dinner in Milwaukee to tout their accomplishments. See WisPolitics coverage: http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=192209.
