That is not the case with Burmaster and Cross, who are politically and philosophically opposites. The two disagree sharply on private school choice. Cross wants to expand the Milwaukee Parental School Choice Program to encompass other school districts, while Burmaster opposes private-school vouchers. Cross, however, contends that private school choice creates healthy competition, encouraging public schools to make needed improvements. I believe in empowering parents through private school choice.
Competition is good.
Burmaster said that instead of increasing competition, voucher programs drain needed resources from improving public schools. Revenue caps Education funding is also an issue in the race, with Burmaster expressing serious misgivings about the state's revenue caps on local school districts, while Cross likes the caps and say they have protected taxpayers. Local school administrators have complained that the caps, in effect since '93, need to be lifted or loosened because they have grown to unreasonably pinch their budgets. Cross said she is willing to consider loosening the caps, but has made no commitment to change. Instead, she has emphasized her own plan that encourages private endowments for public schools, lobbying for more federal aid and making DPI more efficient.