A full house of state senators and representatives were present at the unveiling of the state's budget, which provided several financial aid plans for Wisconsin students.

Not only does Gov. Jim Doyle's budget call for cuts across the board, it's asking for an increase in the state's higher education tuition reimbursement.

"To help our students, we'll dramatically increase the tuition tax deduction, saving families up to $400 off their tax bill," Doyle said.

His budget also would create a program for minority students majoring in education in Wisconsin. The Minority Teacher Loan Program would provide any Wisconsin minority undergraduate with loan rewards up to $2,500 per year with a maximum of $5,000 for teaching in the state. According to the program, for each year the participant teaches in state, 25 percent of the loan would be forgiven.

He also asked for the formation of the Wisconsin Covenant. According to Doyle, this program guarantees students in Wisconsin acceptance to college, with tuition paid.

The Wisconsin Covenant pledge is for eighth graders who decide they want to attend college. Once they sign the pledge, they must maintain a B average while in high school to be guaranteed a slot in the University of Wisconsin System along with financial aid.

"The Wisconsin Covenant provides hope and vision to all eighth graders that if they work hard and do their part in high school, we“ll do our part and guarantee them a spot in higher education and a financial package to make it affordable,” Doyle said.

Doyle's budget address also spoke of trimming the state's fiscal fat. He declared several programs to be cut, state property to be sold and duplicate human resource operations to be eliminated. According to Doyle, his hard cuts will save some of the state's largest agencies two percent this year.

"[Wisconsin] state government will be leaner, more efficient and more focused on the priorities of middle class families," Doyle said.

Not all were pleased with the governor's new budget. State Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) issued the state Republican Party's reaction to the budget address.

“Tonight, Jim Doyle turned his back on families and seniors fighting to stay in Wisconsin," Kanavas said.

The state“s Republicans unveiled their version of the budget for the state dubbed "Invest Wisconsin 2.0." Their budget can be seen at Kanavas' official Web site.

The governor concluded his address by calling on the State Senate and Assembly to work together peacefully to pass the balanced budget.

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