Heroes serving heroes was the theme of the first inaugural “Hero Games” hosted at the Tomah VA Monday afternoon.
Inaugural “Hero Games” takes place at Tomah VA
WEAU TV (Eau Claire)
Category: State news
Wineke: Would you buy stock in Wisconsin?
Channel3000.com
Question of the day: If Wisconsin was a corporation and not a state, would you invest in its stock? If, as I would argue, one of Wisconsin’s major assets is a world-class public university, why would management decide to undermine it?
Budget expands independent charter schools to more than 140 districts
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross could appoint a director to approve independent charter schools in Milwaukee and Madison, and other agencies could approve charter schools in more than 140 school districts, under a provision tucked into a Joint Finance Committee motion on higher education issues last week.
Report advocates giving UW System chancellors a stronger hand
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Several University of Wisconsin System officials and business leaders say the system would benefit from giving more authority to campus leaders, according to a report released Monday that called for decentralization of the system.
Report From Conservative Think Tank Calls For Changes At UW 4-Year Campuses
Wisconsin Public Radio
A report from a right-leaning think tank on the University of Wisconsin System’s four-year campuses calls for local flexibility in setting tuition, changes to the shared governance system and a review of tenure.
UW Faculty Press Regents To Reject New Firing Authority
Wisconsin Public Radio
University of Wisconsin faculty are urging the UW Board of Regents to preserve tenure and reject some of the powers the board would be granted under a GOP budget plan.
Future Of UW Tenure Now Rests With Board Of Regents
Wisconsin Public Radio
This week’s University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting takes on added significance after Republicans on the state Legislature’s budget committee voted to remove tenure protections from state law.
MMSD superintendent says Joint Finance motion puts up barriers
Channel3000.com
Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said a motion from the Joint Finance Committee that would authorize the UW System to create independent charter schools is an “alarming sign” of the Legislature prioritizing private schools and politics over public education.
UW budget cuts reduced, tenure eliminated from law
Channel3000.com
State lawmakers approved reducing a planned cut to the University of Wisconsin System to $250 million, and making multiple changes to how tenure and shared governance are included in state law.
UPDATE: JFC votes to reduce UW budget cut, eliminate faculty tenure from state law
WKOW TV
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted to reduce Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System by $50 million. Committee members approved the change Friday evening.
UW System President Ray Cross issues statement
WKOW TV
The University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross made the following statement on the proposed Joint Finance Committee motion.
What should Wisconsin do to boost business?
Madison.com
Noted: Aaron Olver, managing director of UW Research Park, agreed with several economic development experts who said Wisconsin also should focus on supporting small, start-up and high-tech businesses, which generate most new jobs.
UW System could create charter schools in Madison, Milwaukee
Madison.com
The University of Wisconsin System would be able to authorize independent charter schools in Madison and Milwaukee under a proposal by Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee.
UW cut trimmed but tenure, shared goverance changes infuriate faculty
Madison.com
Lawmakers on the Legislature’s powerful budget committee trimmed Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million two-year funding cut to the University of Wisconsin System to $250 million, which if it stands would be tied for the largest cut in System history and would mark the fifth time in the last six budget cycles that the universities took a significant funding cut. Of perhaps even more consequence, the committee approved significant changes to faculty tenure, removing it from state law, and to shared governance that would take away some decision-making power from faculty, students and staff and give more sway to campus chancellors and the UW System Board of Regents, who are appointed by the governor.
Public access to UW job applicants would be reduced
Madison.com
Applicants for coaching jobs at the University of Wisconsin, and other positions, would no longer be subject to the open records law under a proposal approved by the Legislature’s budget-writing committee.
Letter: Why the UW System is important to our family
Oshkosh Northwestern
My mother, Mary Lou (Zander) Keating graduated from UW Madison’s Commerce School in 1939 with a degree in accounting, and my father, Joseph Keating with an engineering degree in 1940. The one message my 11 siblings heard loud and clear was that “your education is one thing that no one can ever take away from you.” Keep in mind, my Mom lived on a farm in the Depression and her father had to buy it back from the bank. An education, however, could not be taken away.
Lawmakers restore some UW system cuts, critics say “it’s like squandering the investments we made before”
FOX6Now.com
MADISON — The state’s budget is back on center stage in Madison. The Joint Finance Committee is taking up the proposed cuts to the UW system.
UW Colleges faculty support chancellor — mostly
Oshkosh Northwestern
The new UW Colleges chancellor survived a symbolic no-confidence vote from faculty members Friday, but rancor remains over how the 13 two-year schools will absorb an expected $6.7 million in budget cuts.
Reduced cuts may help UWSP avoid involuntary layoffs
Wausau Daily Herald
STEVENS POINT — After the state’s budget-writing committee voted to trim Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed cuts to the University of Wisconsin System by $50 million, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson said the reduction could help faculty and staff avoid involuntary layoffs.
Wisconsin Lawmakers Take Aim at Tenure and Shared Governance
Chronicle of Higher Education
Faculty members at the University of Wisconsin were disheartened on Friday after a state legislative committee approved proposals that would limit the faculty’s role in shared governance and eliminate laws protecting tenure.
Wisconsin faculty incensed by motion to eliminate tenure from state statute
Inside Higher Education
It’s been a tumultuous year for faculty members within the University of Wisconsin System, from threats to the Wisconsin Idea to a proposed $300 million budget cut to Governor Scott Walker’s suggestion that professors do more work to compensate for the slash.
Panel votes to cut University of Wisconsin $250 million
AP
The Legislature’s budget-writing committee voted Friday to cut the University of Wisconsin’s budget by $250 million and eliminate tenure protections for faculty from state law — moves derided by Democrats who argued the changes would hurt both higher education and the state’s economy.
Budget panel restores some funding to UW System
Wisconsin Radio Network
Members of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee have restored some of the cuts Governor Scott Walker proposed for the University of Wisconsin System in his budget plan. Although, the UW will still have to absorb funding reductions of $250 million over the next biennium.
Budget Committee Passes $250M Cut To UW System
Wisconsin Public Radio
Republicans on the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee voted Friday night to cut the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $250 million, while at the same time ending tenure protections enshrined in state law.
GOP plan would cut UW System funding, tenure
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The University of Wisconsin System would see $250 million in cuts and sweeping changes in its operations, under a proposal put forward by GOP lawmakers Friday that will still be less dramatic than changes proposed by Gov. Scott Walker.
Adding Us Up – How Milwaukee, Wisconsin rate: Small towns, doggy destinations
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As America’s Dairyland, Wisconsin expectedly tops most lists related to bovine byproducts: No. 1 in cheese production, No. 2 in milk production, more master cheesemakers than any other state. Prairie du Sac even hosts the worlds largest cow chip festival.
Lawmakers to take up UW System, DNR budgets Friday
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In a final push on the state budget bill, a key legislative panel is scheduled to start voting Friday on how deeply to cut the University of Wisconsin System and key natural resource programs, whether to publicly fund a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks and how to fund highways.
State budget needs fixing
Wisconsin State Journal
Editorial: The governor proposed the $300 million cut to UW System as part of a larger plan to give the state’s 13 four-year universities and 13 two-year colleges more autonomy. Freedom from state purchasing rules and construction fees could have saved UW significant money to help offset the state cut. But lawmakers have largely rejected that flexibility. So they also should reject most of the cut, especially if tuition is frozen. That’s only fair.With the economy improving, Wisconsin shouldn’t be skimping on higher education. Other states are wisely investing in their universities. Ten chambers of commerce representing thousands of businesses across the state sent a powerful letter to the Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday, urging it to reduce $300 million cut to UW. The letter stressed the positive impact the System has on the state economy and jobs.
Scientists warn Scott Walker’s DNR cuts would be costly
Wisconsin State Journal
Without scientific study, the state would return to the practice of stocking lakes with fish based on politics, said John Magnuson, professor emeritus of zoology and director emeritus, UW-Madison Center for Limnology.
Wisconsin Democrats critical of policy items in budget, timeline to finish work unclear
Capital Times
The committee is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Friday, but its last several sessions have been postponed for several hours each. All remaining items in the budget are listed on the agenda, including a proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System, the Department of Transportation budget and a proposal to partially fund construction of a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.
UW budget cut, tuition freeze up for vote
Madison.com
The UW cut up for a vote Friday is one of the most controversial pieces of Walker’s two-year state spending plan. Republicans who control the budget-writing committee have already said they won’t go along with Walker’s plan to give UW more independence from state laws and oversight.
University of Wisconsin System budget cut, tuition freeze up for vote
AP
Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million budget cut to the University of Wisconsin System is slated to be voted on by the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
Memo: Eliminating DNR positions could take more jobs with it
AP
Quoted: “There’s a multiplier effect to this decision,” Steve Born, a retired University of Wisconsin-Madison urban planner who worked with the DNR, said during a River Alliance news conference Thursday to protest the cuts. “Over time, the loss of their knowledge base … will start to erode the quality of decisions we make.”
Many States Aren’t Considering Cuts To Higher Ed. Why Is Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Public Radio
For the coming fiscal year, Wisconsin is one of only a few states considering or enacting cuts to higher education. A reporter looks the numbers, and how Wisconsin stacks up.
Avian flu cases peak in Wisconsin
NBC15-WMTV
When the avian flu first surfaced in Wisconsin in April 2015, the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory was testing 100 or more samples a day. On Wednesday, less than 50 samples were being tested.
UW-Extension mulls future while budget cuts loom
WJFW-TV, Rhinelander
The future was the focus of a public forum at the UW-Extension building in Wausau on Wednesday night.
State could lease buildings outside Dane County under GOP plan
Wisconsin State Journal
Among other actions Wednesday, the Joint Finance Committee approved $86.2 million in bonding to renovate and expand UW-Madison’s outdated chemistry building.
State budget panel adds provisions affecting cities across state
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Earmark several private projects by providing $15 million in state borrowing for the Confluence Project, a proposed arts complex in Eau Claire; $5 million in borrowing to help build an agriculture education center in Manitowoc County; $3 million in borrowing to help fund a science laboratory for Carroll University; and provide $86.2 million for a new chemistry building for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wisconsin one of few states taking up higher education cuts
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Higher education observers across the nation are watching this week as the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee takes up funding for the University of Wisconsin System.
Louisiana and Illinois may escape massive cuts to higher education, but Wisconsin could see $300 million cut
Inside Higher Education
As Illinois, Louisiana and Wisconsin threatened nine-figure reductions in higher education funding, public colleges and universities in those states made their own threats in return. System leaders warned — often and loudly — that layoffs, program cuts and the general welfare of the states’ college students were on the line if legislators went forward with the proposed cuts.
Lubar: UW is doing its share for state budget
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
When the state of Wisconsin is facing fiscal challenges, it’s more than fair to expect the University of Wisconsin-Madison and all the campuses in the UW System to play a role in closing the budget gap. Universities across the system are already doing their part by streamlining staffing, making cuts to operations and finding ways to generate additional revenue.
UW-Madison students learn from Chippewa Falls entrepreneurs
WQOW-TV, Eau Claire
Chippewa Falls (WQOW) – The Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip with 35 UW-Madison student leaders rolled into the Chippewa Valley Friday to learn from successful entrepreneurs.
UW students on cultural tour of state
WKOW TV
A group of UW-Madison student leaders [the Wisconsin Experience Bus Tour] is touring Wisconsin this month to learn more about the state’s culture. Friday, their bus rolled into the Chippewa Valley in northwestern Wisconsin for a stop in Chippewa Falls.
UW-Madison students learn from Chippewa Falls entrepreneurs
The Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip with 35 UW-Madison student leaders rolled into the Chippewa Valley Friday to learn from successful entrepreneurs.
Governor appoints son of foundation president to regents
Associated Press
Gov. Scott Walker has appointed the son of a president of a foundation that supports conservative causes to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.
Lawmakers to pitch making blaze pink the next hunting garb
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Noted: Moulton wrote in his column that the sportsmens caucus met with Majid Sarmadi, a textiles expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He said Sarmadi conducted experiments on blaze pink and blaze orange visibility and concluded that blaze pink clothing is equally visible or more visible to the human eye than blaze orange.
Son of Scott Walker’s former campaign chairman appointed to UW Board of Regents
Madison.com
Michael M. Grebe, son of Michael W. Grebe, president and chief executive of the Bradley Foundation, was appointed Friday to the Board of Regents.
Joint Finance Committee Expected To Make Key Budget Decisions This Week
Wisconsin Public Radio
There will finally be answers to some of the big questions about Wisconsin’s state budget if everything goes as planned this week at the state Capitol.
UW Colleges to shrink administration to deal with $6.7 million cut
Madison.com
The University of Wisconsin’s network of two-year colleges plans to slash its administrative ranks — in the process cutting nearly 10 percent of its overall workforce — in response to Gov. Scott Walker’s historic $300 million proposed cut to the University of Wisconsin System.
UW-Madison Economists Debate Condition Of Wisconsin’s Economy
Wisconsin Public Radio
As the state budget process runs on and legislators debate substantial cuts, a pair of University of Wisconsin-Madison economists are debating the current health of Wisconsin’s economy.
City decries proposed UW cuts
Baraboo News Republic
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.
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.