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Category: State budget

Faculty in high-demand fields could get raises under new UW system policy

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Wisconsin State Journal

Universities of Wisconsin faculty in high-demand fields of study could get salary bumps under a new policy that’s part of the recent state budget deal.

Last week, the UW Board of Regents approved a proposal detailing how the UW system will dole out $27 million annually for market pay adjustments to attract and keep faculty in growing fields, fulfilling a legislative reform set in the budget agreement. Of that, $2 million is earmarked for UW-Madison to use for faculty who work in “areas that advance diversity of thought and the foundation of free markets.”

Study: Wisconsin trails most states in college affordability

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Wisconsin Watch

Public college is less affordable in Wisconsin than in nearly every other state, according to a new analysis of 2022-23 school year data. The nonprofit National College Attainment Network, which advocates for college access, reports annually on each state’s “affordability gap” between the cost of college and what students and their families can pay.

State Democrats introduce bills to reduce tuition costs for students

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WKOW - Channel 27

State Democrats introduced legislation Thursday in an effort to ease the financial burden on Universities of Wisconsin students.

The “Higher Education Powers Wisconsin Package” includes a bill to extend Bucky’s Tuition Promise.

Under Bucky’s Tuition Promise, the program covers all tuition and fees for UW-Madison students from Wisconsin whose household income is less than $65,000 per year.

Regents OK more money to expand UW-Madison’s cyclotron lab project

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Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison is getting an extra $13.5 million to add two floors to the lab it’s constructing for a new cyclotron particle accelerator, which can be used to help detect cancer.

The UW Board of Regents approved the revision to the project Thursday, which will create more space to treat patients for cancer and other diseases at the facility, amid a booming biotech industry.

UW-Madison proposes $13.5 million expansion of cancer research, treatment hub

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Wisconsin State Journal

Patients with cancer could be diagnosed and treated in one building if UW-Madison gets approval for its expanded multimillion-dollar cyclotron lab.

Construction for a $48.5 million cyclotron lab between two research buildings next to UW Hospital was expected to start this year, but the university now is seeking the green light from the UW Board of Regents to add more space for patient treatment and research.

UW to renovate Science Hall

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The Daily Cardinal

University of Wisconsin-Madison officials are planning to renovate one of the university’s oldest and most historic buildings in 2027. Science Hall — built in 1887 — will undergo a renovation to upgrade its interior and add a rear common space.

Evers bypasses GOP-led committee to implement pay raises for state workers

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Evers’ legal claim on raises was tied to Vos following through on a promise in 2023 to use the employee relations committee to block pay increases for around 34,000 employees of the University of Wisconsin until state campuses eliminated all of their diversity, equity and inclusion positions. Later that year, Vos and the UW Board of Regents struck a deal to release the funding for pay increases in exchange for new limits on DEI hiring through 2026.

UW system would fund project to recover MIA soldiers under GOP bill

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Wisconsin State Journal

Legislative Republicans nixed a plan to fund a UW-Madison program that recovers the remains of missing service members, but a new proposal would require the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents to pay for it.

A team of students and experts in the Missing in Action Recovery and Identification Project at UW-Madison sifts through archives and conducts field excavations in an effort to return the remains of veterans who went missing in combat to their families.

Budget agreement includes funding for virtual mental health services on smaller UW campuses

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The Daily Cardinal

The 2025-27 Capitol Budget passed at the beginning of July includes $7 million for virtual mental health services to University of Wisconsin students at all campuses apart from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The inclusion of the funding follows a bill introduced by Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp, and Senate Republicans on June 2 to address mental health issues among UW System students.

Wisconsin science camps for kids with autism face uncertain future after federal funding cuts

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Channel 3000

Michael Notaro, director of UW–Madison’s Center for Climatic Research launched STEM camps in Beloit, Wisconsin Dells and at Madison’s Henry Vilas Zoo with a simple mission: make science accessible to all children with neurodivergences – but the camps are at risk.

“The main goals of the camps is to support the kind of interest and pursuit of science, degrees and careers, to foster and support neurodiversity and to celebrate it,” Notaro said.

UW-Madison Extension to wind down FoodWIse programming after federal funding cuts

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Channel 3000

UW-Madison Extension will wind down its FoodWIse programming following federal funding cuts, administrators announced Friday.

The move comes after the passage of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which eliminated funding for the National Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program (SNAP-Ed). The funding cuts go into effect on Sept. 30.

Henry Vilas Zoo host STEM camp for neurodivergent kids

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WKOW - Channel 27

The camp is organized in collaboration with Dr. Michael Notaro, director of the Center for Climatic Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With prior funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Notaro and his team have led similar camps in Beloit, Madison, and Wisconsin Dells.

However, future programming is uncertain. Federal support for the camps ended earlier this year when NSF grants were discontinued. While funding remains in place for this summer’s sessions, organizers are seeking alternative sources to continue beyond 2025.

Madison STEM camp for neurodivergent kids could see final year after funding loss

Posted on
WMTV - Channel 15

Dr. Michael Notaro, director of the Center for Climatic Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, launched the program several years ago.

“I think that’s inspired by my son Hayden,” Notaro said. “He’s autistic and a wonderful boy. My wife is also autistic. And based on my desire to support and foster neurodiversity, we created three STEM camps.”

Wisconsin nutrition education program, jobs in jeopardy after Congress cuts funding

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Most of the money goes to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, which offers programming in 70 of the state’s 72 counties. While UW Extension is exploring ways to sustain some SNAP-Ed capacity through alternative funding sources, it has already begun winding down operations. Layoff notices went out to 92 SNAP-Ed educators, UW Extension director Karl Martin said.

State Debate: Commentators explore UW cuts, Democratic Socialists and Stephen Colbert

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The Cap Times

Nobody voted for higher costs, crowded classes and less research at the UW, writes Jordan Ellenburg in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Ideas Lab column. The UW-Madison math professor explains how federal budget cuts are undermining decades of the university’s contributions to industry and the dangers that presents to the economy.

Three years of UW tuition increases prompt bill capping tuition increases to inflation

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Two Republican lawmakers aim to restrict how much in-state undergraduate tuition can increase at University of Wisconsin System campuses.

Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Greeville, and Sen. André Jacque, R-De Pere, began circulating the bill for sponsorship July 24, two weeks after the UW Board of Regents voted to raise tuition for the third consecutive year.

Wisconsin Republicans are trying again to cap tuition increases at UW campuses

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Earlier this month, the Universities of Wisconsin system Board of Regents approved a 5 percent tuition increase for undergraduate students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Legislative Republicans are now trying for a third time to cap tuition increases at the state’s public university system at no higher than the rate of inflation.

The proposal would limit the Board of Regents to “only increase tuition and fees for resident undergraduate students up to the rate of the Consumer Price Index.”

Local communities with state buildings get boost from Wisconsin budget

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Wisconsin’s new budget boosts some of the funding available to local communities, including those that are home to state buildings.

State buildings are exempt from property taxes, but Wisconsin does compensate the cities, villages and townships where those facilities are located. The increased funding will affect hundreds of communities that house state facilities ranging from prisons to universities to office buildings.

Wisconsin Legislature spent $26.2 million in taxpayer money on private attorneys since 2017

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“It’s a good time to be a private litigator” in Wisconsin, said Barry Burden, University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor and director of the Elections Research Center. “This has become a very litigious state at a high level, in federal court and in the state Supreme Court.”

9 ways Madison residents will feel the new state budget

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The Cap Times

Andrew Reschovsky, an emeritus professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, estimates Madison schools will receive about $9.6 million more in special education aid over the next two years. But he said without increases to general aid or equalization aid — other major forms of state funding for schools — Madison must rely more heavily on local taxes for funding.

“Even though special education aid has been increased, it’s still a relatively small part of total state aid,” he said. “At the state level, state aid all together is less than half of total money needed, or total revenues, to support K-12 education.”

For third year counting, tuition will increase at UW campuses this fall

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Overall, tuition hikes are expected to generate about $49 million in additional revenue, said Julie Gordon, interim vice president of finance and administration, during a meeting of the regents’ Business and Finance Committee on July 10.

Increases in tuition are needed despite an increase in state funding for the UW System in the 2025-27 state budget, regents and UW staff said during July 10 discussions.

Universities of Wisconsin system is planning a 5 percent tuition increase

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Tuition at Wisconsin’s public universities could increase up to 5 percent under a new plan released Tuesday.

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman will ask the Board of Regents on July 10 to increase tuition for undergraduate residents by 4 percent, with individual campuses able to add an optional additional 1 percent increase.

University of Wisconsin students would pay hundreds more in tuition under proposal

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Pending an upcoming vote, tuition for University of Wisconsin System students is set to rise in the upcoming school year.

The Board of Regents is expected to vote July 10 on a proposed 5% increase to resident undergraduate tuition for most UW campuses. At UW-Madison, that 5% tuition increase would add an additional $500, bringing the 2025-26 annual resident undergraduate tuition to $10,506.

We should hold lawmakers to the standards they force on UW

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The Cap Times

In their latest attempt at micromanaging an institution for which their support ranks 44th among the 50 states, the budget contains a provision that requires faculty members to teach at least 24 credit hours per year, a number that is reduced to 12 credit hours for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Faculty can buy down the number of courses they must teach by replacing their compensation with funding from other sources, like grants, the reporters explained.

Wisconsin has a new budget. Here’s what UW-Madison will receive

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The Daily Cardinal

Gov. Tony Evers signed Wisconsin’s 2025-27 bipartisan state budget into law Thursday morning, securing a $256 million increase to the University of Wisconsin System budget after months of negotiations with Republican lawmakers. It’s a far cry from the $856 million the system requested, but a welcome alternative to the $87 million cut Republican legislators floated just two weeks ago.

Gov. Tony Evers’ re-election decision looms over battleground Wisconsin

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NBC News

“Evers got most of what he wanted. He is now in a position to say, ‘I’ve done what I needed to do. I got funding back to UW [the University of Wisconsin system], I got funding for child care, we’ve saved the kids in Wisconsin.’ We’ve got a kids budget — I think that gives him an out,” said Brandon Scholz, a Wisconsin Republican strategist. “He can go out on top.”

Evers signs ‘compromise’ budget quickly after Wisconsin Legislature gives final OK

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Wisconsin Examiner

Gov. Tony Evers signed the $111 billion two-year state budget bill into law overnight following a marathon day of overlapping Senate and Assembly floor sessions where the bill received bipartisan support from lawmakers. The budget cuts taxes by $1.3 billion, makes investments in the University of Wisconsin system, boosts public schools’ special education reimbursement rate to 45% and allocates about $330 for child care.

In wee hours, Legislature passes and Evers signs 2-year, $111-billion state budget

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Wisconsin Public Radio

Wisconsin lawmakers voted to approve a state budget late Wednesday night that spends more than $111 billion over the next two years, cuts more than 300 state jobs and increases funding for the child care industry and the Universities of Wisconsin system. It also cuts taxes by about $1.4 billion.

Legislature passes and Evers signs budget after sprint to get ahead of Trump big bill

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The overall package cuts taxes by $1.3 billion, spends hundreds of millions on building projects on University of Wisconsin System campuses, expands Medicaid funding, increases funding for special education and funds new childcare programs, among other measures. In all, it spends $111 billion, a 12% increase over current spending levels.

Evers, lawmakers agree to increase UW System funding by $256 million

Posted on
The Daily Cardinal

Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders reached an agreement Tuesday to a $256 million increase for the University of Wisconsin System — the largest funding increase in about two decades.

This would be a major turnaround for the UW System in the budget after Republican lawmakers threatened an $87 million cut just two weeks ago. The UW Board of Regents and Evers originally proposed a record-high $856 million increase for the system, a total that would bring the state’s public higher education funding in line with the national median.

Republican budget leaders moving forward a plan to close the aging Green Bay prison

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The plan to close the prison was not part of a negotiated deal with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, which included tax cuts, increased Medicaid funding and a boost for the University of Wisconsin System. Because the prison plan is not a part of the deal, Evers could veto the plan once the full budget reaches his desk.

Kaul sues Trump administration for abrupt halt of mental health funds, calls it ‘awful policy’

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

But most notably, he cited the impacts. The funding cuts have marred efforts to train 24 school psychology graduates at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who were set to work in high-need schools after graduation. Although 19 students were on track to graduate, the university projects a loss of more than $2.8 million. That funding loss, the institution warned, means some students may not be able to finish their degrees or afford to work in the schools once they graduate.

Budget deal gives some lawmakers heartburn. Tony Evers, GOP leaders say that’s what compromise looks like

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The budget deal includes $14 million in municipal service payments — payments from the state for police, fire and waste removal services provided to state facilities by local governments — a significant chunk of which will go to the City of Madison. It also includes $194 million for projects at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is in Roys’ district.

Gov. Evers, legislative leaders reach budget deal that includes funding increases for UW System, child care

Posted on
WKOW - Channel 27

Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Republicans, Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats say they’ve reached a bipartisan deal on the next state budget.

The announcement comes just hours before the legislative committee that writes the state budget is set to vote on funding for a slew of government agencies.

Gov. Evers, legislative leaders reach budget deal that includes funding increases for UW System, child care

Posted on
WKOW - Channel 27

Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Republicans, Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats say they’ve reached a bipartisan deal on the next state budget.

The announcement comes just hours before the legislative committee that writes the state budget is set to vote on funding for a slew of government agencies.

Gov. Tony Evers and legislative leaders reach bipartisan deal on budget after months of negotiations

Posted on
Wisconsin Examiner

Gov. Tony Evers and Republican and Democratic legislative leaders have reached a tentative agreement on the 2025-27 state budget, agreeing to invest hundreds of millions in the University of Wisconsin system, to create new grant and payment programs for child care facilities, further boost investment in special education and cut $1.3 billion in taxes.

Wisconsin’s Democratic governor reaches budget deal with Republicans to cut taxes, fund university

Posted on
Associated Press

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republicans who control the state Legislature announced a deal Tuesday on a new two-year budget that cuts income taxes, increases funding for the Universities of Wisconsin despite a threatened cut and raises fees to pay for transportation projects.

UW-Madison employees urge considering their voices amid budget cuts

Posted on
The Cap Times

Like other universities across the country, the University of Wisconsin-Madison isn’t immune to growing financial pressures from federal funding cuts, changes and delays.

Over half of the 18 universities in the Big Ten have announced some kind of belt-tightening measures in recent months, as President Donald Trump’s administration has altered or slashed federal funding for research and higher education.

Wisconsin state budget breakthrough yields gains for UW system, special education

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Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Tony Evers and Republican leaders in the Legislature have reached a budget agreement that could give the Universities of Wisconsin its biggest boost in two decades, increase how much the state reimburses school districts for special education and continue subsidies for the state’s child care industry.

Under the deal, the UW system will get $256 million in new state aid that must be allocated under two new formulas that prioritize stabilizing campuses with declining enrollment and rewarding campuses for the number of credit hours that students complete.