University of Wisconsin-Madison student government is praising Republican leaders for removing provisions from Gov. Scott Walker’s budget that would have allowed students to opt out paying some fees.
Category: State news
Republicans ask UW to research more uses for milk
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A group of Assembly Republicans are asking University of Wisconsin System officials to start researching more uses for milk.
Jobs, Transportation Issues Top Discussion At State Budget Hearing
The state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee held a hearing Wednesday in West Allis on the state budget, and it was an eight-hour smorgasbord of citizen praise and concern.
Health Care a Top Concern at Milwaukee Public Hearing on Wisconsin’s Budget
People came armed with numbers, to the hearing the Joint Finance committee conducted on Gov. Walker’s proposed budget for the state, for the next two years. And many wanted to testify about health care issues.
Walker moves to fix technical errors in Wisconsin budget
Gov. Scott Walker is making clear that his budget proposal would not result in seven people who were domestic partners of deceased government workers losing state health care coverage.
Wisconsin lawmakers hit the road for state budget hearings
Many University of Wisconsin students also stepped up to advocated against a budget provision that would allow them to opt out of paying some segregated fees that help fund student organizations. The move could result in funding cuts to campus services, such as crisis rape centers.
Proposed legislation would ban UW employees from training at abortion facilities
Bill’s opponents believe it would hamper UW’s credibility.
UW System schools stand together against fee opt-out
Students traveled from across the UW System Monday to testify before the Joint Finance Committee against portions of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal before the committee submits its final recommendations.
Scott Walker, public urge lawmakers to approve funding increase for schools
The hearing also drew opponents of a gas tax, supporters of the Department of Natural Resources magazine that Walker has slated for elimination and college students who described how they used mandatory fees to spark intellectual inquiry and mutual understanding on the UW-Madison campus.
Gov. Scott Walker: Invest in student success and a strong workforce
Column by Wisconsin governor on his budget proposal, touting “More money into our technical college system than ever before” and “Over $100 million more into our University of Wisconsin System.”
State Legislature’s finance committee discusses pros, cons of segregated fees opt-out proposal
As students at the University of Wisconsin continue to express their concerns with Gov. Walker’s proposal to let students opt out of allocable segregated fees, the state Legislature’s joint finance committee met Thursday to address the contentious idea, among other items, in the state budget.
Dividing lines clear on budget as public gets to weigh in
MADISON — Any doubts that key parts of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget face significant hurdles among fellow Republicans who control the Legislature have been erased after three days of hearings that exposed rare bipartisan opposition to the spending plan.
Wisconsin lawmakers push Department of Natural Resources chief to keep popular magazine
Noted: In separate testimony, University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross praised Walker’s budget, which provides $100 million in new money to the university as well as $35 million in additional state tax dollars to fund a 5% tuition cut.
GOP leader: UW-Oshkosh allegations could hurt UW budget aid
Questions about the relationships between University of Wisconsin System schools and their private foundations could mean less aid for the system when the state budget is completed, the state Senate’s top Republican signaled Thursday.
Questions about UW System foundations loom over budget deliberations
Questions about the relationships between University of Wisconsin System institutions and dozens of private foundations could loom over a proposed increase in state funding for UW, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said Thursday.
UW System President Ray Cross: Walker proposal the ‘best budget’ for system in 10 years
Gov. Scott Walker’s spending plan for the 2017-19 biennium is the “best budget” the University of Wisconsin System has seen in 10 years, System President Ray Cross told lawmakers on Thursday.
State Legislators Plan To Order Audit Of UW System Foundations
State legislators are hoping to order an audit of the relationship between University of Wisconsin System schools and their private foundations.
UW System President: Walker’s Budget A ‘Move In The Right Direction’
University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross said Thursday that Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget for state colleges and universities is a “move in the right direction.”
GOP leader: UW-Oshkosh allegations could hurt UW budget aid
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Questions about the relationships between University of Wisconsin System schools and their private foundations could mean less aid for the system when the state budget is completed, the state Senate’s top Republican signaled Thursday.
Democrats: Fee opt-out could drive up bus costs
Democrats on the Legislature’s finance committee are questioning provisions in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget that would allow students to opt out of some fees.
On the hot seat again, UW System faces scrutiny over private foundations
Deja vu is looming over the University of Wisconsin System. Thursday morning, UW System President Ray Cross will make a pitch to the Legislature’s powerful Joint Finance Committee for more than $100 million in additional state funding in the next biennium.
Wisconsin AG: Constitutional carry bill seems reasonable
MADISON (AP) — Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel says allowing people to carry concealed firearms without a license seems reasonable.
Legislature’s budget committee sinks teeth into governor’s budget
Walker’s 2017-19 budget proposal includes $650 million more for K-12 schools — some of which is tied to projected savings from self-insuring state employees — $42.5 million for the University of Wisconsin System tied to new performance metrics, $600 million in tax and fee reductions, and $500 million in new borrowing to plug a transportation funding shortfall.
Budget committee rips Scott Walker’s self-insurance plan for state workers
Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to self-insure state workers came under attack Tuesday from the Legislature’s budget committee, which questioned $60 million in purported savings, whether local governments could still participate and if medical benefits might change.
State Legislators Plan To Order Audit Of UW System Foundations
State legislators are hoping to order an audit of the relationship between University of Wisconsin System schools and their private foundations.
Wisconsin bill would allow hidden weapons without license
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hidden handguns could be legally carried without a license in Wisconsin under a far-reaching, Republican-backed proposal unveiled Tuesday that immediately drew bipartisan opposition.
Lawmakers may order audit of UW System foundations
State lawmakers may order an audit this week of the relationships between University of Wisconsin System institutions and the private, nonprofit foundations that support them financially.
Student finance committee ‘wholeheartedly rejects’ parts of Walker’s budget proposal
The Student Services Finance Committee at UW-Madison met to discuss its first draft of recommendations for Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget proposal Monday.
Legislators poised to order audit of UW foundations
Legislators are poised to order an audit of University of Wisconsin System schools’ relationships with their private foundations.
Legislators poised to order audit of UW foundations
Legislators are poised to order an audit of University of Wisconsin System schools’ relationships with their private foundations.
UW-Parkside deemed loser in state budget
That ranking, from University of Wisconsin-Madison Associate Professor Nicholas Hillman, is based on what’s known about a proposed performance-based funding system to allocate $42.5 million in new money for the 2017-19 budget.
Jefferson County sheriff’s K-9s get medical aid from UW veterinarians
UWVC has long provided care and other support for police dogs, but the new statewide K-9 health effort was created after the school looked for ways to do more to serve them and their departments.
UW: Scott Walker proposal to expand Flexible Option program doesn’t include needed funding
The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option program holds a lot of potential for people unable to attend traditional classes, say UW officials, but meeting Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed timetable for expansion would be challenging.
A Public University Mends Fences With Its State
The University of Wisconsin at Madison has endured several years of budget cuts and a stronger hand by the state government in its policies. Chancellor Rebecca Blank discusses winning back some funds, repairing dings to its reputation, and navigating the Trump administration.
Rebecca Blank: Money for UW tuition cut better spent on targeted aid
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank is joining several top Republican lawmakers in questioning Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut University of Wisconsin System tuition.
Impact of UW research, teaching on state’s economy cannot be overstated
Editorial: [T]he impact of UW research and teaching on the state’s economy cannot be overstated. But it all requires resources and investment. Let’s not put UW’s best at unnecessary risk.
La Crosse considers banning ‘all you can drink’ specials at bars
Noted: According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Population Health Institute, 26% of La Crosse County adults report excess drinking. That’s one of the highest percentages in Wisconsin.
Republicans press professors to spend more time teaching
University of Wisconsin chemistry professor Robert Hamers has a jam-packed day ahead: an hourlong lecture, a conference call with colleagues about nanotechnology, meetings and plans to check on students in the lab.
Republicans press professors to spend more time teaching
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin chemistry professor Robert Hamers has a jam-packed day ahead: an hourlong lecture, a conference call with colleagues about nanotechnology, meetings and plans to check on students in the lab.
Walker says it would be ‘unwise’ to reject self-insurance
Gov. Scott Walker warned his fellow Republicans on Thursday that it would “unwise” to reject his proposal to switch state workers to a self-insurance model, saying ditching the plan would cost the state tens of millions of dollars in savings.
Top Republicans skeptical on self-insurance for state workers
Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke said at a UW-Madison faculty forum that he hasn’t found any lawmakers who are excited about the plan, The Associated Press reported.
Legislature’s budget committee holding six public hearings in April
The Legislature’s budget committee plans to hold six budget hearings next month around the state on Gov. Scott Walker’s $76 billion biennial budget proposal, though none will be in the state’s 10 largest cities.
Walker says it would be ‘unwise’ to reject self-insurance
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker warned his fellow Republicans on Thursday that it would “unwise” to reject his proposal to switch state workers to a self-insurance model, saying ditching the plan would cost the state tens of millions of dollars in savings.
Transgender community worries about state insurance policy
LA CROSSE, Wis. – For the about 250,000 state and local government employees covered by the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance program, gender reassignment services, procedures and surgeries are no longer covered.
Wisconsin public employee pensions to rise at least 2 percent
Nearly 200,000 retired public employees covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System will get a bump up in their pension checks, starting May 1.
Wisconsin Democrats propose bill to alleviate student debt
In an attempt to address the cost of higher education, Wisconsin legislators have reintroduced a “Higher Ed, Lower Debt” bill to help students alleviate their debt.
Wisconsin Republicans clash on fetal tissue approach
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Wisconsin lawmakers who for years have sought to ban the use of aborted fetal tissue in the state are now bickering among themselves over what to do.
Wisconsin lawmakers want new limits on fetal tissue research
Republican lawmakers are reviving a push to restrict research done in Wisconsin that relies on fetal tissue from abortions.
In era of change, Jay Risch becomes Wisconsin’s top financial regulator
Noted: Risch, a University of Wisconsin-Madison political science major who had been DFI’s deputy secretary since mid-2015, also previously worked as government relations director for the Wisconsin Bankers Association. In addition, he worked for state Sen. Alberta Darling and former state Sen. Cathy Stepp.
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers clash on fetal tissue approach
Republican Wisconsin lawmakers who for years have sought to ban the use of aborted fetal tissue in the state are now bickering among themselves over what to do.
Budget proposal is best in a decade for UW, Ray Cross says, but items remain on wish list
Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to increase funding for the University of Wisconsin System is the best budget news UW has heard in a long time, System President Ray Cross said Thursday.
Bills backed by anti-abortion groups would ban research using aborted fetal tissue
Research groups — including UW-Madison, UW Health, Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and BioForward, which represents the state’s biotech industry — said the fetal tissue research ban would prohibit lifesaving research already regulated under federal law.
Cross says budget proposal ‘best in a decade’ for UW System
University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross is offering high praise for the governor’s state budget proposal.
New $75M crime lab, 19th century-style beer garden approved
The commission also approved placing $361.3 million in a fund that could be tapped for projects not specifically enumerated. That could include many across the University of Wisconsin System that were not approved. The university asked for nearly $795 million but was approved for only $128 million.
State senator tells College Republicans they have to be ‘tough’
Amid elections for Associated Students of Madison representatives, state Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, visited College Republicans at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to discuss hot-button issues and drive home the importance of fighting for conservative values.
UW-Madison wins, UW-Milwaukee and Parkside lose under Walker’s performance funding plan
University of Wisconsin-Madison would win big, and UW-Milwaukee and UW-Parkside would be the biggest losers, if performance measures proposed by Gov. Scott Walker to divvy up $42.5 million in new state funding over the next biennium are approved by the Legislature, according to a new analysis.
State Republican Senator offers support of budget in campus visit
Amid uncertainty of the level of support Gov. Scott Walker has in the state Legislature for his budget proposal, state Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, supported the tuition cut and increased UW System funding in a speech to UW-Madison’s College Republicans.
Three-year degree pathways could be ineffective, but help some at UW
The debate over three-year versus four-year bachelor degree programs is taking center stage following Gov. Scott Walker’s 2017-’19 budget proposal. An aspect of this requires the UW System to establish pathways to a three-year degree for 10 percent of programs by Jan.1, 2018 and 60 percent of programs by June 2020.
Opt out clause proves once again Walker doesn’t value UW students
Gov. Scott Walker has done it again. This man continues to attack the University of Wisconsin System, interfering with business that should not be messed with. If the $250 million in cuts to the UW System in the 2015 budget weren’t enough, he now wants the UW System to allow students to opt out of allocable segregated fees, which will have detrimental effects on our schools.
Fitzgerald troubled by UW campus, foundation relationships
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he’s worried about relationships between University of Wisconsin System schools and their private foundations.