Wisconsin governor signs order creating student debt task force

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order Wednesday creating a task force on student debt, fulfilling a pledge he made during his state of the state address last week.

The task force will consist of a number of state officials or their designee, including the governor, the state schools superintendent and he presidents of the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Technical College System, according to the order. Two state senators and two state representatives from each party will also serve on the the panel.

State Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld will serve as chairwoman.

The order directs the task force to study student loan debt and its causes, evaluate current policies and provide recommendations on how the state can best address the problem and improve families and students’ financial situations.