EDITORIAL: THE MAKINGS OF BAD LAW

Drug dealing is a serious offense. Young people convicted of it should be
viewed warily by college admissions officers. Such a conviction should be
firm ground for turning down an applicant - or, for that matter, for
expelling a student already enrolled.

But having decided to admit or keep a student convicted of drug dealing,
should the college then deny that student financial aid because of his or
her record? A bill passed by the Assembly would achieve that outcome at
University of Wisconsin campuses. This bill would make bad law and
shouldn't leave the Senate.

The bill discriminates against lower-income students by putting UW out of
their reach; in contrast, higher-income students with a record of drug
dealing could still attend. That's wrong.

Also, inexplicably, the bill singles out just one crime for this extra
punishment - drug dealing. Students convicted of more serious crimes - say,
rape or homicide - could still get aid if admitted. Punishment ought to be
proportional to the crime, yet this bill would treat a convicted drug
dealer worse than a convicted rapist.

Admittedly, this bill echoes a federal law. But as many scholars and judges
and others now recognize, the feds have gone overboard in the war on drugs
- - with little to show for the effort. On this one, the state mustn't follow
the feds.

Yes, colleges should consider criminal records - but in admissions, not in
financial aid. That way, colleges would treat rich and poor students alike.

Bill sponsor Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire) argues: "We shouldn't be rewarding
bad behavior." We agree. No student should get aid as a result of drug
dealing. At the same time, poverty ought not to be a bar to college.