Category: State budget

Governor Scott Walker backed away Wednesday from an effort to end the University of Wisconsin’s mission to search for truth and improve the human condition — at least on paper.

In quickly restoring the Wisconsin Idea on Wednesday to its central place in the states public university system, Gov. Scott Walker said its mission statement of searching for truth had only been proposed for removal from state law because of an oversight or drafting error in his budget bill.

Stunned educators accused Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday of trying to kill the Wisconsin Idea, which has guided the mission of the states public higher education system for more than a century.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said Wednesday that more borrowing for road projects, historic cuts to the University of Wisconsin System and flat funding for K-12 schools are the top concerns so far among caucus members.

The term “drafting error” may be enshrined as a legendary Wisconsin phrase after Wednesday’s events.

Wisconsinites swooped in to defend the Wisconsin Idea Wednesday from Gov. Scott Walker’s budget bill rewrite of the University of Wisconsin’s mission.

Facing a massive backlash, Gov. Scott Walker retreated Wednesday from a proposal to wipe out language at the foundation of the Wisconsin Idea — the long-cherished principle that the state’s public universities exist to seek truth and serve the people of the entire state.

Gov. Scott Walker abruptly backed off Wednesday from a contentious plan to eliminate the University of Wisconsin System’s public service mission statement known as the “Wisconsin Idea” and replace it with the charge of meeting the state’s workforce needs.

Governor Scott Walker backed away Wednesday from an effort to end the University of Wisconsin’s mission to search for truth and improve the human condition — at least on paper.

UW–Platteville is facing millions of dollars in budget cuts for its 2015–16 academic year at the time it could face part of a proposed $300 million UW System budget cut.

In addition to unprecedented budget cuts to the University of Wisconsin UW system, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker struck “the search for truth” and the Wisconsin Idea from the university’s mission in his executive budget bill unveiled last night.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker wants to require drug testing for those seeking a variety of public benefits, dramatically cut funding to the University of Wisconsin System and greatly expand a private school voucher program under a budget he delivered Tuesday that comes as he takes more steps toward a presidential run.

Highlights of Gov. Scott Walker’s $68.2 billion two-year state budget released on Tuesday:

Walker’s proposal to disband the Educational Approval Board, an out-of-the-spotlight agency that decides whether for-profit colleges can operate in the state, comes after the board appeared to conflict in recent years with Republican lawmakers over a proposal to set standards for retention and job placement at for-profit schools.

Lawmakers in both parties are questioning whether a proposed $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System is too large.

Gov. Scott Walker unveiled a $68 billion two-year spending plan Tuesday night that calls for a sweeping expansion of private school vouchers, consolidating control over environmental regulation and natural resources, sharp cuts for the University of Wisconsin System and defunding public television and radio.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s 2011 fight with public-sector unions sparked huge protests—and elevated him into a national figure in conservative politics. Now, as he eyes a run for president, he is targeting another group on the public payroll: university professors. (Subscription required.)

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank outlined a strategy Monday at a meeting of the university’s Faculty Senate, where members unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the proposed cut to the UW System in the state biennial budget.

Walker has said he will propose cutting $300 million from the University of Wisconsin System, about a 13 percent reduction, over the next two years while also freezing tuition. In exchange, Walker wants to give the UW System more freedom from state oversight and laws, a move that university officials have sought for years to give them greater control of their own operations. Much of the debate in the Legislature is expected to focus on the size of the proposed cut and just how much latitude to give UW as it moves toward a public authority model.

To preserve his past property and income tax cuts and avoid a gas tax increase, Gov. Scott Walker’s budget would cut state universities by $300 million over two years and borrow the more than $1billion needed for state roads.

In the six weeks before word began leaking out about unprecedented budget cuts Gov. Scott Walker had in mind for the University of Wisconsin System, efforts already were underway to negotiate a deal that would satisfy the governors desire for something “BIG,” while reducing the impact on campuses.

Gov. Scott Walker will unveil his next two-year state budget on Tuesday night, fleshing out the details on what he wants to cut to fill Wisconsin’s budget shortfall.

On Tuesday, Walker will propose a roughly $70 billion two-year budget plan that must solve a shortfall of about $2 billion. Among other things, it is expected to include a dramatic $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System in exchange for more autonomy, flat funding for K-12 public schools, agency mergers and borrowing for road projects rather than raising gas taxes or vehicle fees.

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cut of $300 million to the University of Wisconsin System comes as other states, nationally and in the Midwest, have inched up funding for higher education, restoring support lost during the economic recession. More increases are expected in coming years.