Margarine supports farmers too

Dear Editor,

I was glad to see the important editorial in last weeks Chronicle about how important school funding is and how the state government isn't providing the needed amount  which was given in the past. To quote the Chronicle, “Teachers, already working long hours, are paying out of pocket for supplies and managing larger classes. Support staff are stretched thin. Bus routes are consolidated to save fuel, extracuriculars are trimmed, and building repairs are delayed.”

How interesting that on the front page of that issue there was an article about how Sen. Marklein and Rep. Novak have introduced a bill to force all Wisconsin schools to use butter instead of margarine in all school lunches since we're known as the Dairy State. The implication is that by forcing butter on the schools, we'll be supporting farmers. 

Of course they seem to have overlooked that soy beans are used to make margarine, and Wisconsin farmers rely on soy beans too. They also seem to be unaware of the fact (or not care) that butter is far more costly than margarine. With prices soaring, schools probably won't want to pay for butter when they're struggling to pay for basic maintenance.

This is yet one more example of  how out of touch these legislators are, who supposedly  represent us and stand up for what we want and need.

If you would like to tell them what you think, you can call 

Sen. Marklein – 608-266-0703 and Rep. Novak- 608-266-7502.

Sincerely,

Marie L. Baker, Dodgeville, WI