Concerned about far-reaching impacts, the Baraboo City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday that opposes proposed state budget cuts for the local University of Wisconsin campus.
City decries proposed UW cuts
Baraboo News Republic
Category: State news
Lawmakers reject Scott Walker plan to ax for-profit college board
Wisconsin State Journal
Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to do away with a small state agency that approves and regulates for-profit colleges was voted down Thursday night by the Legislature’s budget committee, likely meaning the Educational Approval Board will continue unchanged after being on the guillotine since late January.
From Financial Firms To Brewpubs, UW Grads Start Many Businesses In Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio
For graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the state appears to be fertile ground for business startups.
‘This hurts’
Isthmus
Members of the Legislature’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee won’t decide until later this month whether or not they will reduce the $300 million cut to the UW System proposed in Gov. Scott Walker’s biennial budget. But with the UW System’s fiscal year set to begin on July 1, campuses have been forced to prepare for a worst-case scenario. So regardless of what the Legislature does, the cuts are already being enacted.
Census figures show Milwaukee’s population holding steady
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Those companies, and other prospective employers, look for areas with highly educated populations, something the University of Wisconsin-Madison students, employees and graduates help provide.
UW Colleges Face $2.6M In Administrative Cuts
Wisconsin Public Radio
The 13 colleges in the University of Wisconsin System have been told to prepare for a reduction of $2.6 million in a first round of budget cuts, with maybe more to follow.
Liberal group sues Scott Walker over Wisconsin Idea records
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A liberal advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Scott Walker over records related to his administrations attempt to alter the Wisconsin Idea, which has guided the mission of the states public higher education system for more than a century.
Board approves state worker health care cuts
Wisconsin State Journal
State workers’ main out-of-pocket health care costs will double next year, after the Group Insurance Board approved changes Tuesday to save $85 million over two years. The cuts, to begin Jan. 1, were requested in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget and are designed to avoid a “Cadillac” tax on rich benefit programs from the Affordable Care Act.
Wisconsin Democrats reintroduce student loan refinancing bill
Capital Times
The bill would create a Wisconsin Student Loan Refinancing Authority, modeled after the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. The authority would be charged with creating a system to buy federal and private loans and refinance them at a lower rate.
Center for Media and Democracy sues Scott Walker for ‘Wisconsin Idea’ records
Capital Times
The group filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Dane County Circuit Court. It was the first to report in February that Walker’s budget would have deleted the core philosophy of the “Wisconsin Idea” from the UW’s statutory mission statement.
Moulton: Blaze pink could join blaze orange in the woods
Dunn County News
Noted: Because safety is the most important concern for hunting clothing, the Caucus decided to meet with a color scientist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Human Ecology. Dr. Majid Sarmadi, one of the nation’s leading color experts, conducted a series of experiments to determine if blaze pink was as safe as blaze orange. Dr. Sarmadi spoke with the Sportsman’s Caucus about the biology of deer and human eyes and the science of color. Today, I would like to share this information with you.
Liberal Group Sues Walker Over ‘Wisconsin Idea’ Records
AP
A liberal advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Scott Walker, saying he is illegally withholding records related to his proposal to rewrite the mission statement of the University of Wisconsin known as the “Wisconsin Idea.’’
UW-Madison could eliminate 434 total positions, lay off 70
Channel3000.com
Of the 434 positions cut, 70 would be faculty, 108 would be academic staff and 66 would be graduate assistants, according to documents provided to News 3. No faculty would be laid off.
State worker health costs could double under proposed budget cuts
Wisconsin State Journal
State workers and their family members would see their main out-of-pocket health care costs double next year under proposed budget cuts officials will take up Tuesday. The state Department of Employee Trust Fund’s Group Insurance Board is expected to vote on the proposal, which would satisfy requested cuts to worker benefits in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget.
On Campus: UW fraud hotline goes live; UW-Madison to lay off 70
Madison.com
Higher ed beat column on fraud line (“UW System will pay $35,000 a year to a Georgia company, The Network Inc., for the next five years to field calls and Web submissions about possible violations.”) and UW–Madison budget cuts (“An updated tally of jobs lost at UW-Madison due to Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed historic $300 million cut to the UW System stands at 434, according to figures released by the university. Of them, 84 percent will come from open jobs that won’t be filled.”)
Does Gov. Walker’s 2016 campaign message match his record in Wisconsin?
WKOW TV
Noted: For instance, when the Governor took office in 2011 there were only 631 cases of UW System employees enrolled in BadgerCare Plus, the state’s Medicaid insurance program for the poor. By April 2015, the number of cases had jumped up 1,667.
That increase has vaulted the UW System from 46th to 3rd on the list of state employers with the most workers enrolled in BadgerCare Plus. Only Walmart and McDonald’s have more employees receiving those government benefits in Wisconsin.
Chief Mike Koval, UW Researcher Simon Haeder on Capitol City Sunday
WKOW TV
UW-Madison political science researcher Simon Haeder also joined host Greg Neumann to discuss a recent study he and colleagues conducted on the choice and quality of hospital care for people enrolled in state health insurance exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Walker says he’s not disappointed in job creation agency performance
Channel3000.com
Noted: The announcement about WEDC also said the governor wanted to take $55 million from the state budget that had been designated for WEDC and turn it into a worker training program. Walker said he may also be open to other options, including diverting that money to schools or the UW System.
Tenure allows faculty to be risk-takers — Andrew Bent
Wisconsin State Journal
Tenure gives proven, productive faculty members (the only ones who are awarded tenure) the confidence to stick out our necks and take risks. There are rewards for success and penalties for failure in the academic world, but most faculty would dial back on pursuit of risky ideas if not for tenure.
University of Wisconsin flunks the financial transparency test
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Something was missing from the heated debate over the proposed new University of Wisconsin authority and $300 million budget cut for the UW system. The UW leaders have been on a public relations blitz. Layoffs have been threatened. Billions of dollars of economic impact have been claimed.
Debt service, utilities taking on a larger share of UW System’s funding under Walker budget
Capital Times
When the University of Wisconsin System gets its funding from the state, it comes as a pool of money that gets divided up for campus use. Not all of the money gets put directly toward the cost of teaching, however. Before it moves on to the campuses, some of the pot has to cover the System’s debt service and the cost of utilities. (Graphics showing how funding is spent.)
Deadly white-nose syndrome spreading among bats in Wisconsin
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and National Wildlife Health Center in Madison have reported that bats with white-nose syndrome use twice as much energy in hibernation as healthy bats.
Value what UW System brings to our state
Wausau Daily Herald
I write this from the perspective of a retired University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW Marathon County faculty member. I also served as chairman of the UW Colleges Psychology Department and acting dean at UWMC. In those positions, I saw various beneficial and seriously damaging effects of budget and policy changes.
Professor: The Die Is Relatively Cast On UW Cuts
Wisconsin Public Radio
As the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee moves through its list of issues in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget plan, public education advocates are still hoping that a proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System will be reduced, in spite of the lack of additional tax revenue to offset the cuts.
Could UW System take a page from Louisiana to sway politics surrounding higher ed funding cuts?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin lawmakers aren’t the only ones considering major funding cuts to higher education.
As clock ticks, UW System awaits decisions, braces for cuts
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Students cramming for finals aren’t the only ones in the University of Wisconsin System losing sleep this week.
‘Profitable’ can’t be the goal of UW System
Stevens Point Journal
Reader Diane Beversdorf in her recent letter to the editor seems to have overlooked an important point in her response to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson’s April 23 column. She cites Patterson’s statement about university leaders recognizing the need to operate more like a business; she then lists several ways in which businesses need to focus on the bottom line — “all of which are required to remain profitable.”
UW Chancellors: Cuts Are Expected, But Hopefully Smaller Than What Walker Proposed
Wisconsin Public Radio
The chancellors of the two largest University of Wisconsin System campuses say that while they expect budget cuts, they might not end up being as deep as those that Gov. Scott Walker has proposed.
Republican lawmakers blunt Scott Walker’s proposed cut for public radio, television board
Wisconsin State Journal
The Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 to reduce Walker’s proposed cut to the Educational Communications Board. The state agency works with the University of Wisconsin System to operate Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television, among other duties.
Here are the facts on Wisconsin’s economy
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Unfortunately, Noah Williams of the University of Wisconsin-Madison violated this principle last week in a Journal Sentinel op-ed on the state of the Wisconsin economy. Williams opinion is that the states economy has performed “quite well” under Gov. Scott Walker. He is perfectly entitled to make that argument, although as I have argued elsewhere, the evidence is overwhelming that he is wrong.
Authority over Wisconsin-Minnesota tuition deal goes to lawmakers
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Authority over a decades-old agreement that allows college students from Minnesota and Wisconsin to avoid paying nonresident tuition when they cross the border to attend a public school is up for grabs Tuesday in the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.
Proposed budget cuts threaten UW Extension agents
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
On any given day, Lavern Georgson could be helping a farmer with a sick cow or troubleshooting a problem with someone’s backyard Koi pond.
UW-Madison could not sell University Ridge Golf Course for revenue until 2021
Capital Times
University Ridge, a top-ranked public golf course at County Road PD and County Road M in the city of Madison, was developed and given to the university by the University of Wisconsin Foundation in 1991, university officials reported in response to a records request … the terms of this gift contain an automatic reversion provision that returns the property to the Foundation if sold within 30 years of the gift, Lisa Hull, a special assistant to the vice chancellor in the Office of University Relations, said in an email.
Records reveal state budget office’s rationale for cutting Wisconsin Idea
Madison.com
Walker’s office and his Department of Administration released the documents Friday in response to a State Journal records request made three months ago. They include previously released emails from UW officials asking the budget office as early as Jan. 20 — two weeks before Walker introduced his 2015-17 budget — and again on Jan. 29 to restore the Wisconsin Idea language.
UW System cuts are too deep — Lorrie Keating Heinemann
Wisconsin State Journal
Letter to the editor: Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature need to consider the students as our fuel to build Wisconsin’s economy. The students need a strong, dependable vehicle with a great engine to take them to their destination.
Tax cuts shouldn’t trump UW funding
Wisconsin State Journal
Staff editorial: The Legislature could delay a $5 property tax cut to fund more UW aid. Most people wouldn’t notice the modest change. The Legislature could slow a sweetheart tax cut for manufacturers. It could accept more federal money for Medicaid. What our state leaders shouldn’t do is weaken UW System just as the economy is improving. Doing so will slow our state in the global race for knowledge, entrepreneurs, private investment and good-paying jobs.
Tenure, shared governance at UW face uncertain future as Legislature tinkers with Scott Walker budget
Madison.com
Grant Petty, a UW–Madison atmospheric sciences professor and president of PROFS Inc., tells the paper taking away faculty tenure and shared governance is like asking the Green Bay Packers to play without pads … such a move would strip professors and staff of basic tenets of job stability and satisfaction that have made UW a go-to destination and would cause an exodus of top talent … UW System president Ray Cross has vowed to resign if those key policies go away, an expression of his confidence that they won’t.
Commentary by Chancellor Debbie Ford: Investing in UW-Parkside builds talent for our region
Racine Journal-Times
Saturday, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside celebrates the most students ready to graduate in our history. Close to 500 men and women are eligible to participate in our spring commencement. In the past five years, we have awarded more undergraduate and graduate degrees than during any other five-year period.
Brent Smith: Commitment to higher ed lacking in state budget plan
LaCrosse Tribune
The controversy over how to fund the University of Wisconsin System goes on. The current proposal is for a cut of $300 million and a tuition freeze. It’s clear that the proposal as it stands will have a negative impact on the quality of education in our universities.
Wineke: Legislators need to prove education is top priority
Channel3000.com
In the meantime, no one thinks the lawmakers can undo the $300 million cut the governor wants to give the University of Wisconsin schools. They have decided the added flexibility Walker proposed as a means of having the schools find ways to cut costs should be dumped. So the UW will get all the negatives of the Walker budget and none of the proposed positives.
Walker wants lawmakers to reconsider UW authority
Wisconsin Radio Network
Governor Scott Walker is in agreement with Republican legislative leaders, on where the budget focus should be, now that new projections show no real increase in state revenues. But he said he wants them to reconsider his plan to provide the University of Wisconsin System with greater autonomy.
Scott Walker calls $300 million UW cut ‘manageable’
AP
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker says his proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System is “manageable” and “realistic” if UW is given some flexibilities to save money.
Badgers enjoy UW Day at Capitol
NBC15
Video: Members of the UW basketball team were honored at the Capitol.
Scott Walker: Arena funding plan needs to take back seat for now
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday that legislative consideration of a financing plan for a new arena in downtown Milwaukee will have to wait until other big-ticket issues such as K-12 school funding and cuts to the University of Wisconsin System are dealt with first.
Budget cuts, rising costs could put squeeze on UW athletics
Madison.com
Five years can seem like an eternity in the world of major college athletics.
Report says no additional revenue expected for Wisconsin budget
Wisconsin Radio Network
A new report says no additional revenue is expected to help lawmakers craft Wisconsin’s two-year state budget.
Why No Autonomy Means All Pain, No Gain for Wisconsin’s University System
Chronicle of Higher Education
The plan to give the University of Wisconsin System broad autonomy from state regulations is dead.
Bad budget news for Wisconsin: No new money over 2 years
AP
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin tax collections won’t grow beyond earlier projections, state lawmakers were told Wednesday, forcing Republican legislative leaders to consider an accounting move to fulfill their promises to undo Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $127 million cut to public schools.
UW raises $53 million out of a $100 million budget deficit
Badger Herald
Chancellor Rebecca Blank updated University of Wisconsin’s Faculty Senate Monday on recent developments to raise money to make up for the deficit created by Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million budget cut to the UW System.
UW public authority is dead though some flexibilities may survive
Wisconsin State Journal
For the second time in Gov. Scott Walker’s gubernatorial tenure, a proposal to split off the University of Wisconsin System or its flagship UW-Madison from state control has died at the hands of the Republican Legislature, according to a top lawmaker.
Lawmakers seek probe of contractual dispute in Baraboo, Marshfield student housing
Madison.com
Considine and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, sent a letter to Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel last week on behalf of local contractors who worked on dorms at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County and the University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County.
Wisconsin economy outpacing other states
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Noah Williams is a professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Badgers, Babcock ice cream on Wisconsin Idea Day at the Capitol
Madison.com
It’ll be Wisconsin Idea Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, with visitors able to meet members of the Final Four-winning Wisconsin Badgers basketball team, and sample delicious ice cream and cheese from the world famous UW-Wisconsin Babcock Hall dairy.
State’s largest chambers of commerce issue statement urging proposed UW System budget cuts be lessened
Wisconsin State Journal
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce issued a joint statement Tuesday to urge state legislators to look for ways to reduce Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cut to the UW System.
State’s largest local business groups warn $300 million UW cut could hurt economy
Capital Times
The state’s two largest chambers of commerce Tuesday joined forces to warn that Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System could hurt the economy.
Fact checking the state budget
PolitiFact Wisconsin
A powerful committee of state lawmakers dives deeper this week into votes on Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial state budget. A flurry of decisions will come in May. That’s our cue to roll out some recent PolitiFact Wisconsin fact checks and articles on the 2015-17 spending plan.
Walker Doesn’t Have to Slash UW and Education Funding
Shepherd Express
Facing a deficit going into the two-year budget cycle that begins in July, Gov. Scott Walker has proposed slashing funding for the University of Wisconsin System, public K-12 education and other vital programs.
UWGB students and staff react to UW System future
WLUK-TV, Green Bay
GREEN BAY – We’re following the money with Wisconsin’s state budget.The legislature won’t vote to cut the UW system loose from state oversight. However, budget cuts remain a possibility.
Walker’s UW proposal dead in Legislature; cuts debated
AP
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to give the University of Wisconsin System more independence from state law and oversight won’t pass this year, while other flexibilities and the level of funding for higher education remain up for debate, co-chairs of the Legislature’s powerful Joint Finance Committee said Tuesday.
GOP Lawmakers Say No To UW Authority, At Least For Now
Wisconsin Public Radio
The Republican co-chairs of the state Legislature’s budget committee say they won’t support Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to turn the University of Wisconsin System into a public authority.