Wisconsin lawmakers help foster children better themselves

Wisconsin lawmakers are doing some good. Even for others than themselves. Members of the Wisconsin Assembly have approved legislation to waive tuition and fees for foster children who want to attend University of Wisconsin schools as well as state technical colleges. It isn’t often our elected representatives take action to help those who need it most. After all, it is not like foster kids have some powerful lobbyist group or political action committee. It is not like they are donating money to those in office. But this bill has bipartisan support and is expected to become law. If so, Wisconsin would join 28 other states which already offer some form of post-secondary tuition for foster children. They would be eligible for free tuition for those foster children who meet certain criteria. Even their fees would be waived. These kids deserve our help. By no fault of their own, they have been kicked to the curb, swallowed up by the system. Few have been willing to give them a helping hand. It is estimated 4600 foster children in Wisconsin could qualify for free schooling, and that won’t come cheap. But think of the payback. By attending college or tech school these kids will gain employment skills and increase the likelihood they will end up with a job instead of taking a less stable path that could lead them to jail. Our lawmakers deserve praise for doing what is right and helping those who have experienced such hardships at a young age.