Madison: Lawmakers have been talking about changing the way we fund our schools for years. Now some Democrats at the Capitol want to set a deadline for making those changes.

"Wisconsin school districts have been operating under a funding system that over time virtually guarantees financial failure in every district in Wisconsin," says Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Middleton).

The rhetoric was flowing hot and heavy in a crowded room at the Capitol, as Democrats introduced a resolution that would require the legislature to craft a bill reforming school funding by July of 2009.

Districts across the state have had to make severe cuts or go to referendum as their costs have increased faster than the revenue caps.

"This is a (piece of) legislation to say we need to fix this, let's all commit ourselves to fixing it. To me that's a necessary first step," says Madison Superintendent Art Rainwater.

"My concern is this is a symbolic gesture, something to get people excited about it," says Republican Brett Davis. He chairs the Assembly Education Committee and says without an actual proposal this resolution is empty. "I would personally rather see legislation- and I do intend to do that later on this year."

But Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts says any plan introduced now would get ripped to shreds by opponents. "We are not offering any particular plan here today. Indeed there are several very specific plans out there that are being put together even as we speak. I have my favorite and I am certain others have their own favorite."

But some parents are losing their patience with the political process. "They're not engaged in the fight because they don't believe their representatives have the political will to blow up the funding formula-which is what is needed," says one mother from Waukesha.