The 10^th session of our student government has only begun and already the Associated Students of Madison is on the wrong track. The state budget crisis has brought more increases in tuition, making financial aid all the more important to eligible students.

Assembly Bill 342 would prohibit state financial aid from going to students who have been convicted of “possessing with the intent to manufacture or distribute” controlled substances for two years following the date of conviction.

On the second offense, a student would be ineligible indefinitely, but could regain eligibility simply by completing a drug rehabilitation program.

The ASM Legislative Affairs Committee, in opposition to this legislation, has chosen this to be the first issue they take up this session. The logic behind their opposition of this bill has thus far escaped us.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration estimates this would affect approximately 50 students throughout the entire University of Wisconsin system per year, but would allow $50,000-$100,000 of aid to be disbursed to other students in financial need, students who have worked hard, are deserving of financial aid and carry clean police records.

In a letter drafted to state legislators, ASM’s Legislative Affairs Committee discusses the 91,204 students who are being denied financial aid on the federal level by the Higher Education Act. However, this is merely spin. At stake is a state law that would not allow people who been convicted of attempting to sell or manufacture illegal drugs from receiving hard-earned tax money and instead give that money to hard-working students who have not been convicted of trying to sell drugs within the past two years.

Students make mistakes, and it is not our belief that a student cannot correct their mistakes. When they do, opportunities should maybe then be afforded to those students to receive financial aid. But the proof of getting one’s life back on track lies with the student.

This type of activism by ASM is a reminder of the ASM from four or five years ago, when student government focused on Bill Clinton’s foreign policy rather than on issues relevant to students, such as the lack of campus parking and campus safety.

Every year the Badger Herald editorial board hopes that “this year will be different” and ASM will stay focused on issues that will benefit students while working under the tenet of fiscal responsibility. Every year we are disappointed and it appears this year is beginning in much the same fashion.

This session of ASM is still young and we are hopeful that the members of our student government will leave their 5^th floor offices in the Union to enjoy a couple cold drinks on the Terrace and interact with average students. This interaction might help them refocus their priorities while working for those very students — the vast majority of whom have not been convicted of trying to sell drugs, and many who could use some additional monetary assistance.