The governor protected the 188 positions within the University of Wisconsin System focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, a point of emphasis for Vos. Evers eliminated a tax break for people in the top two income brackets, prompting a rebuke from the Assembly leader.
Category: State budget
Washington County community college in limbo after state funding vetoed
Evers, who used his partial veto powers to rewrite portions of the Republican-authored 2023-25 budget, eliminated the earmarked funding that would have helped Washington County create a community college concept that merged the resources of UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and Moraine Park Technical College, both of which have campuses in West Bend.
Wisconsin’s Democratic governor guts Republican tax cut, increases school funding for 400 years
Evers was unable to undo the $32 million cut to the University of Wisconsin, which was funding that Republicans said would have gone toward diversity, equity and inclusion — or DEI — programming and staff. The budget Evers signed does allow for the university to get the funding later if it can show it would go toward workforce development and not DEI.
Robin Vos says UW System won’t get $32 million unless it tosses diversity programs
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Thursday the University of Wisconsin System won’t be able to get $32 million the Legislature set aside for its workforce programs unless it eliminates programs addressing diversity and equity.
Wisconsin line-item veto: How Gov. Tony Evers pulled a power move on Republicans
Another area that Evers vetoed was the elimination of 188 jobs in the University of Wisconsin system that were focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, a Republican priority. He did not roll back a $32 million University of Wisconsin budget cut aimed at curbing funds for DEI programs, however. Under the Republicans’ proposal, the University of Wisconsin is still able to access those funds, but it must get approval from GOP legislators regarding its use first.
A $285 million indoor football facility in Madison, the NFL Draft and other projects funded by the state budget
The UW System: A total of $1.7 billion will go to projects across the UW System statewide. Some of the big ticket items in there include $285 million for replacing Camp Randall Sports Center and turning it into an indoor football facility, $347 million for replacing the Engineering Building and demolishing the Computer Aided Engineering Facility at UW-Madison, and $231 million for demolition of Phillips Hall and the completion of a new Science/Health Science Building at UW-Eau Claire.
Washington County community college in limbo after state funding vetoed
Aproposed community college pilot in Washington County is in jeopardy after Gov. Tony Evers vetoed $3.35 million in state funding for the project Wednesday.
Gov. Evers signs biennial budget with dozens of line-item vetoes
Evers was unable to undo the $32 million cut to the University of Wisconsin, which was funding that Republicans said would have gone toward diversity, equity and inclusion — or DEI — programming and staff. The budget Evers signed does allow for the university to get the funding later if it can show it would go toward workforce development and not DEI.
Gov. Evers uses line item veto to spare 188 diversity, equity, inclusion staff at UW System from termination
Gov. Tony Evers has signed a Republican-drafted state budget that includes income tax cuts for most residents and a major increase in funding for K-12 education, more state aid to local governments and workforce housing. With his powerful veto pen, Evers spared 188 UW System diversity, equity and inclusion staff positions from elimination and eliminated tax cuts for the state’s two highest income brackets.
Tony Evers uses veto powers to extend annual increases for public schools for the next four centuries
Evers also vetoed a plan from Republican lawmakers to eliminate 188 positions within the University of Wisconsin System focused on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, but maintained the $32 million cut in funding that was paired with the staffing reduction. Republicans put $32 million into a fund UW officials may request money from as long as the GOP-controlled committee approves the officials’ plans for its use.
Gov. Evers vetoes GOP plan to merge West Bend college campuses
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a Republican plan Wednesday that would have merged the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Washington County with Moraine Park Technical College.
Gov. Tony Evers issued 51 partial vetoes to the state budget. Here’s what they do.
In signing the state’s two-year spending plan Wednesday, Gov. Tony Evers used his partial veto authority to ensure rising public school funding for four centuries, remove proposed tax cuts for top earners, and retain University of Wisconsin System diversity positions.
Democratic Wisconsin governor guts Republican tax cut before signing state budget
In addition, the budget also gives the University of Wisconsin System the ability to retain 188 positions that “had been targeted by the Legislature for work remotely related to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” per a press release from the governor’s office.
Wisconsin’s Democratic governor guts Republican tax cut, increases school funding for 400 years
Evers was unable to undo the $32 million cut to the University of Wisconsin, which was funding that Republicans said would have gone toward diversity, equity and inclusion — or DEI — programming and staff. The budget Evers signed does allow for the university to get the funding later if it can show it would go toward workforce development and not DEI.
Tony Evers vetoes DEI-related UW System position cuts in state budget
Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a Republican attempt to eliminate 188 UW System jobs related to diversity, equity and inclusion Wednesday, cuts that were intended by GOP lawmakers to curb DEI efforts on campuses across the state.
Gov. Tony Evers signs GOP state budget that cuts taxes, boosts K-12 spending
He said he would give the UW System the ability to retain 188 employees working in diversity, equity and inclusion offices that Republicans sought to eliminate.
‘Here & Now’ Highlights: Tommy Thompson, Charles Franklin, McCoshen & Ross
Tommy Thompson, a former governor and former president of the UW System, said the time is now to address the fiscal future of the statewide public university system and overlaps with technical colleges across Wisconsin.
Republicans have a lot to say about UW diversity programs. So do students
UW-Madison senior Ciboney Reglos interacts with DEI programming “basically every single day” she’s on campus. She is the senior class diversity, equity and inclusion director and a board member for the Filipinx American Student Organization, one of at least 65 multicultural student groups competing for limited funding and campus programming space.
Assembly sends Tony Evers a state budget that includes tax cuts, an education spending boost and a cut to UW
Evers previously said he would not sign a state budget that includes tax cuts for wealthy residents or maintains a $32 million cut to defund diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the UW System.
Both measures were included in the budget passed Thursday, but Evers has since softened his position and signaled he could support the UW provision because Republicans on the budget-writing committee included a companion provision that allows UW officials to request for the funding to be restored if the committee approves their plans for it.
Evers now wrestles with GOP-approved budget that trims his priorities
The budget does not include state funds for a new engineering building on UW-Madison’s campus, a top priority for the university. A new building would replace the College of Engineering’s 83-year-old facility, adding over 1,000 engineering students per year.
Wisconsin Republicans’ spending plan sent to Democratic governor
Evers previously threatened to veto the entire budget over the University of Wisconsin’s $32 million cut, funding that Republicans identified as going toward diversity, equity, or DEI, programming and staff. But the budget would allow for the university to get the funding later if it could show it would go toward workforce development and not DEI.
$99 billion Wisconsin budget heads to Tony Evers after Assembly approval
Despite Evers’ recent call for the Legislature to make significant changes to the budget to ensure that he signs it into law, neither chamber this week made substantive changes to the document before passing it. He opposed the significant tax cut for the wealthiest Wisconsinites as well as the proposed cuts to the UW System’s diversity programs. Both remain in the proposal.
Wisconsin Senate passes biennial budget bill with minimal changes
The Wisconsin Senate voted to pass a two-year budget plan Wednesday that drastically cuts the state’s income taxes, decreases funding for the University of Wisconsin System and excludes many priorities that were originally included in Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal including paid family and medical leave and state funding for the Child Care Counts program.
Senate passes state budget that leverages a historic surplus to cut taxes, boost education spending
The Republican-controlled state Senate on Wednesday passed a nearly $99 billion two-year spending plan for the state that again cuts taxes by more than $3 billion, using a windfall of unexpected revenue Wisconsin has amassed navigating the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers initially wanted UW bill to apply an admissions guarantee to every high school in the country
Republican lawmakers drafting a bill that would require Wisconsin’s most competitive university to accept every top-ranking high school graduate in the state initially wanted the bill to apply to every high school in the country, lawmakers’ aides told reporters on Wednesday.
2-year budget for Wisconsin receives Senate approval, heads to Assembly
Another contentious spending provision in the budget the Senate approved Wednesday is Republicans’ plan to cut the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32 million in an attempt to force the school officials to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming.
Wisconsin Senate approves two-year budget with lower income tax, UW cuts
The final budget bill included some divisive language over cuts to the University of Wisconsin System. Republicans on the budget writing committee removed $32 million from the UW System budget to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs — a move which Democrats decried.
Republican budget proposal reduces Evers spending plan by nearly $7 billion, according to a new analysis
As approved by the budget committee, the spending plan would cut income taxes by $3.5 billion, boost funding for all K-12 schools by $1 billion, increase wages for state workers, increase transit funding by 2%, boost pay for prosecutors and public defenders and cut $32 million in DEI programming funds from the University of Wisconsin System.
Tax cuts and University of Wisconsin funding up for state Senate vote
Taxes would be cut across all income levels, with the wealthiest benefiting the most, and the University of Wisconsin would get nearly half a billion dollars less than it asked for under a two-year spending plan up for approval Wednesday in the state Senate.
Republican leaders say no more money for University of Wisconsin or school safety office
Republicans plan to make no substantive changes to the state budget, meaning that a cut in funding to the University of Wisconsin System that puts the entire spending plan in jeopardy of being vetoed will remain, legislative leaders said Tuesday.
Budget committee earmarks $3.35 million for Washington County college pilot program
Republican lawmakers have earmarked more than $3 million to help Washington County jumpstart a merged community college pilot program. The county is trying to preserve access to college in West Bend amid steep enrollment declines at UW-Milwaukee’s Washington County campus.
Here’s what’s in Wisconsin’s $99 billion budget slated for passage this week
Another contentious spending provision is Republicans’ plan to cut the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32 million in an attempt to force the school officials to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming.
Wisconsin’s legislative session: Budget committee approves pay raises for state workers
The 2023-24 Wisconsin legislative session is underway, with debates brewing on issues ranging from public safety, abortion access, tax cuts and the state’s projected $7 billion budget surplus, funding for schools and more.
GOP-controlled budget committee approves cutting UW System’s budget over DEI
Republicans approved a plan Thursday to cut the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32 million in an attempt to force the school officials to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming.
Tax cuts and a UW squeeze: A look at the proposed GOP-backed Wisconsin state budget
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN: The University of Wisconsin System’s budget would be cut by $32 million, leaving UW nearly half a billion dollars short of funding it requested. Republicans cut the amount they say would be spent on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, over objections from UW leaders who say they may have to raise tuition and cut programs in response. The budget also does not include funding for UW’s top priority building project, $197 million to demolish and build a new College of Engineering building on the Madison campus. Republican leaders say there are ongoing discussions about funding that project.
Republicans approve $3.5B income tax cut, reduce state funds for the UW System
Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee passed their version of the state’s two-year spending plan Thursday night, one that would cut income taxes by $3.5 billion across all brackets, including for the state’s wealthiest residents.
Wisconsin Republicans pass plan to cut income taxes by 15% on average
But Democrats objected, saying the tax plan would make the state less competitive when combined with GOP budget decisions to end funding for child care programs and cut spending for the University of Wisconsin.
Republicans vote to cut UW System budget by $32 million in attempt to defund diversity offices
Republican lawmakers who control the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Thursday voted to cut funding to the University of Wisconsin System by $32 million and nearly 200 positions in an effort to eliminate diversity offices and programming on campuses.
Republicans, targeting diversity efforts, set to cut UW System budget
Republican members of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee were poised Thursday to fulfill an earlier promise to slash funding for the University of Wisconsin System in an effort to curb diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming on campuses across the state.
UW budget brawl intensifies as Republicans eye cuts to diversity initiatives, kill engineering building
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, ignited debate after indicating on June 13 that he wanted the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to completely cut diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) funding across the University of Wisconsin System.
Documents: Speaker Robin Vos pushed to eliminate technical college taxing authority
The University of Wisconsin System, which does not have local property tax authority under state law, received around $15,079 per full-time-equivalent student. That funding ranked Wisconsin eighth worst in the nation.
UW System president pushes back against criticism of campus diversity initiatives
University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman defended campus diversity programming this week as Republican state lawmakers consider cutting university funding by around $32 million because of opposition to those efforts.
Campus closures, tuition hikes possible if GOP cuts UW System budget, president says
Campus closures, tuition hikes and the end of some educational programs are all possibilities if the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee goes through with proposed cuts over diversity, equity and inclusion offices on campus, UW System President Jay Rothman said Monday.
Wisconsin GOP Targets The University of Wisconsin In Fight Over Diversity
Wisconsin Republicans had to delay a crucial vote to cut funding to the University of Wisconsin school system. The Wisconsin GOP couldn’t come to a final decision about how much to cut from the school’s budget. But that hasn’t dampened calls to punish UW for daring to promote diversity on campus.
Tom Still: Peering into an engineering future that can, and should, come to pass
The year is 2028, and a state-of-the-art building has opened in the heart of UW-Madison’s College of Engineering campus. It’s six times larger than the Depression-era building it replaced and designed to last a century or more.
DEI Standoff Derails a State Budget
A fierce battle over diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education is being waged in the Wisconsin State Assembly, where it has temporarily paralyzed the state budget vote.
Wisconsin governor vows budget veto if GOP cuts diversity funds from university system
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday in a newspaper report that he won’t sign the state budget if Republican lawmakers follow through on their plan to cut funding for the state university system’s diversity officers, escalating a bitter fight over dollars for the state campuses.
Gov. Tony Evers says he would veto state budget if Republicans advance $32 million cut to UW System
Evers said Wednesday during a stop at a cheese plant outside of Monroe that such a cut would be “a ridiculous effort” on Vos’ part.
“To cut, at this point in time, the University of Wisconsin System when we have a $7 billion surplus is irrational,” he said. “I’m hopeful that will change before the budget is passed.”
Wisconsin governor vows budget veto if GOP cuts diversity funds from university system
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday in a newspaper report that he won’t sign the state budget if Republican lawmakers follow through on their plan to cut funding for the state university system’s diversity officers, escalating a bitter fight over dollars for the state campuses.
Gov. Tony Evers threatens to veto budget over UW System diversity-funding battle
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday he would veto any state budget that includes a proposed $32 million, Republican-backed state funding cut aimed at eliminating University of Wisconsin System diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Wisconsin Republicans delay vote on UW budget after top GOP leader pledged tens of millions in cuts
Wisconsin Republicans have delayed a vote on the state’s budget for the University of Wisconsin System, hours after a top GOP leader pledged the Legislature would cut the UW’s budget by tens of millions of dollars.
Republicans delay vote on UW System budget as debate over campus diversity efforts continue
Lawmakers writing the next state budget spent eight hours behind closed doors Tuesday only to delay action on the University of Wisconsin System after the Legislature’s top Republican said UW campuses would see a $32 million cut in state funding − a move the Democratic governor characterized as a “war” on higher education.
Republicans delay vote on University of Wisconsin budget after promises to cut diversity funds
Republican state lawmakers on Tuesday suspended a vote on funding for University of Wisconsin campuses, just hours after a top GOP leader promised to slash the college system’s budget as part of an ongoing fight over diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Republicans delay vote on plan to cut UW System budget by $32 million over DEI programming
After hours of negotiations behind closed doors, Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee put off any vote Tuesday on whether to slash the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32 million in an attempt to gut funding for diversity, equity and inclusion offices and programming.
How deal over shared revenue will affect Wisconsin communities
Legislative Republicans and Gov. Tony Evers reached an agreement on changes to Wisconsin’s shared revenue system. Two guests help us better understand how the local funding bill will affect communities across the state. Interview with Ross Milton, assistant professor of public affairs at UW-Madison.
UW System hires new chief diversity officer amid GOP pushback against campus DEI offices
A new chief diversity officer hired by the University of Wisconsin System will start just weeks after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called for eliminating DEI staff at the state’s 13 universities.
OUR PERSPECTIVE: Support new UW engineering building
State Republicans have a long-standing tradition of supporting economic development in Wisconsin, but – bafflingly—they missed the boat recently when the powerful GOP-controlled state-budget-writing committee axed a proposal for a much-needed new engineering building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
Tom Still: Misplaced ire — GOP frustrations with UW and the engineering building
Wisconsin has other fine engineering campuses, public and private, but demand for UW-Madison graduates is stronger than ever at a time when industry needs well-trained engineers in all disciplines. Let’s hope negotiations breathe new life into a project that will help Wisconsin’s economy for decades to come.
UW System hires new chief diversity officer despite Republican push to defund diversity offices
The University of Wisconsin System has hired a new chief diversity officer amid a Republican push to dismantle diversity programming on campuses and under threat of budget cuts.
Opinion | Inspired by Scott Walker, Republicans continue to ruin the state
And in keeping with Walker’s hostility toward the UW, just last week, Republicans axed $350 million for a new engineering school at UW-Madison, a top priority for the university that officials say is needed to keep the school competitive.