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Category: State news

The UW will live

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Recently, I wrote a piece at Right Wisconsin on the flap over the “Wisconsin Idea” at Right Wisconsin. Short version: the Wisconsin Idea is a common place generality that, at least in 2015, distinguishes the University of Wisconsin from nobody. No one has suggested that UW become a trade school or abandon research.

PolitiFact: On the UW System budget cuts and right to work

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

New this afternoon from PolitiFact Wisconsin: Amid the uproar over Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System, we check a claim by UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank. She says UW-Madison “spent down reserves” as it was told to do two years ago and, facing the new cuts, has “no more reserves to spend down.”

O’Marah: Scott Walker’s Plans For University Of Wisconsin Are Epically Stupid

Forbes

Gov. Scott Walker plans to cut $300M from the budget of the University of Wisconsin and, if he has his way, will alter its mission from a “search for truth” to “meeting the state’s workforce needs.”  These steps are so fantastically at odds with what the business community, economy and state need from its public university system that no synonym for ‘stupid’ is too strong.

Don’t let UW hide its research records

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Deep in the bowels of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2015-’17 budget is language to exempt research done by the University of Wisconsin System from the state’s open records law, unless it is published or patented.

Scott Walker’s School Days

Wall Street Journal

Colleges are usually at the forefront of radical politics, but when it comes to their own privileges they become feudal empires. Behold the revolt in the Wisconsin state university system over Governor Scott Walker ’s appeal for modest accountability. (Subscription required.)

Democrats: Scott Walker’s the one playing Washington politics with UW

Wisconsin State Journal

Democrats said Thursday it’s not UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank who’s bringing Washington, D.C.-style politics to the University of Wisconsin System funding debate. Instead, they said, Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP leaders of the state’s powerful budget committee are playing politics.

On Campus: Top Republicans blast UW-Madison chancellor for playing ‘Washington politics’ in budget battle

Wisconsin State Journal

The leaders of the state’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee accused UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank of playing Washington politics with the current budget debate, noting her ties to U.S. President Barack Obama and her predecessor’s support for elements of Gov. Scott Walker’s plans that she opposes.

Our UW System needs to be saved

Jackson County Chronicle

Anyone who has attended a University of Wisconsin System school knows the lifelong value of the education they received there. Every year, tens of thousands of Wisconsin families rely on our state’s public university system to provide new adults with a solid foundation of employment skills, problem-solving abilities and invaluable relationships. The system also gives back to the state through research and outreach efforts that benefit the public.

UW-Madison’s Rebecca Blank is playing ‘Washington politics,’ 2 legislators say

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Chancellor Blank statement: “Our recent conversations with legislators have been positive and we understand the pressures they are facing. As I have stated in the past, flexibilities offered through a public authority model are welcome and would eventually allow the System to function more effectively. However, we continue to be concerned about the impact of a proposed $300 million cut. We look forward to working with legislators throughout the budget process to reduce the impacts on the university.”

Gov. Walker, eyeing a 2016 bid, picks new fight in Wisconsin: Universities

Washington Post

Gov. Scott Walker has cited his experience battling unions here four years ago as proof that voters appreciate a political leader willing to “go big and go bold.” So as he woos supporters around the country for a possible presidential bid, Walker (R) is once again picking a fight against a powerful institution at home — public universities.

Letter: UW budget cuts harmful, not efficient

Sheboygan Press

It is good to see that even members of his own party object to things in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget. My own view is that Walker has aimed heavy artillery at some of the things I most care about: education at all levels, environmental preservation, and the fund which supports Wisconsin Public Radio.

Letters: Walker’s UW cuts misguided

Appleton Post-Crescent

My family has a long tradition with the University of Wiscosnin-Madison and I’m appalled by Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed $300 million cuts to the UW System. We’ve had six members of our immediate family graduate from UW-Madison at the undergrad, graduate and Ph.D. levels.

Laura Chern: UW leaders should urge Scott Walker to accept Medicaid money

Capital Times

Dear Editor: Many Wisconsin citizens and organizations have pointed out that Gov. Walker can save the University of Wisconsin System from huge cuts by accepting the $261 million to $315 million that is Wisconsin’s share of Medicaid money under the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare. That sounds like a great way to save the UW System, save lives and honor the Wisconsin Idea.