Republican leaders of the Legislature?s budget-writing committee indicated Tuesday that they will break with Gov. Scott Walker on some parts of his two-year spending plan, including removing the requirement and money for local recycling efforts and changing the popular SeniorCare prescription drug program. They spoke before the Joint Finance Committee began taking votes on changes to Walker?s first budget. Committee co-chair Robin Vos (R-Racine) has said it was “highly unlikely” the committee will go along with Walker?s plan to break the Madison campus off from the UW System. That issue has divided both the Madison campus and the university system, with other campuses and UW President Kevin Reilly arguing against it. They, and some lawmakers, have argued that all 14 four-year campuses in the system should have the same autonomy that Walker is proposing for Madison. Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has argued strenuously for the plan, saying it was necessary for the flagship campus to deal with a $125 million cut Walker is proposing — half of the $250 million cut Walker wants for the entire university system.
Office of Strategic Communication