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Category: State budget

Gov. Tony Evers says he would veto state budget if Republicans advance $32 million cut to UW System

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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.”

Republicans delay vote on UW System budget as debate over campus diversity efforts continue

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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 plan to cut UW System budget by $32 million over DEI programming

Wisconsin State Journal

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.

GOP lawmakers approve $2.4B capital budget but reject key UW project

Wisconsin Public Radio

Republicans on the Legislature’s budget committee voted for a $2.4 billion capital budget Thursday, the largest of any state building program in years but considerably smaller than the one proposed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

The capital budget would also leave out funding for several key projects, including a new school of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the UW System’s top priority.

Budget committee rejects spending $750 million on broadband in Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Journal

The GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee on Thursday also rejected Evers’ request to spend nearly $350 million to fund a new engineering building on UW-Madison’s campus, a top priority for the school.

“Today is certainly a sad day for UW-Madison, but the real tragedy is for the state of Wisconsin,” Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said. “This building would promote the state’s economic development. It would create significant workforce opportunities. It would propel innovation.”

Republicans won’t fund new UW-Madison engineering hall, broadband expansion

The Capital Times

Republicans’ proposed capital budget does not include the $347 million that Evers proposed to build 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, which is currently in “poor and unsatisfactory condition,” adding over 1,000 engineering students per year.

Most UW System campuses have budget deficits in the millions

Wisconsin Public Radio

As lawmakers consider the next round of spending on higher education in Wisconsin, new data shows per-pupil taxpayer funding for state technical colleges is more than twice as high as it is for state universities. At the same time, the University of Wisconsin System says 10 of its 13 universities have structural deficits ranging from millions to tens of millions of dollars.

Wisconsin’s budget forecast dips slightly, still projected to be near $7 billion surplus

The Associated Press

Wisconsin’s budget forecast dipped slightly Monday, but the latest projection still calls for the state to collect about $6.9 billion more than anticipated by the end of June.

The new forecast also comes ahead of votes in coming weeks over tax cuts, funding for K-12 schools and the University of Wisconsin System and a host of other priorities and programs as lawmakers piece together the next two-year state budget.

UW-Madison graduates largest class in its history with 7,826 degrees conferred

Wisconsin State Journal

Coumbe Gitter, who got her degree in biochemistry with an environmental science minor, graduated in good company outside of her own family tree — Saturday’s ceremony was the largest commencement in UW-Madison history, with 7,826 degrees conferred, according to UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin.

State lawmakers proposed solutions to the state’s housing crisis. Here’s what to know

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

These changes would cut back on delays and roadblocks that drive up prices, said Kurt Paulsen, professor of urban planning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Housing dies a death of a thousand cuts because every change, every delay, just adds costs,” Paulsen said.

Candidate Derrick Van Orden said earmarks would ‘open the door to corruption.’ In Congress, he’s seeking $73 million

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Noted: Pocan’s $24 million also covered 15 projects, including $3 million for a Dane County water filtration upgrade, $2 million to expand a Green County YMCA, and $3 million to build a new food pantry in Madison. It also includes a $2 million request for the University of Wisconsin-Madison to aid in PFAS contamination research.

UW System funding faces Republican headwinds, panelists say

The Capital Times

The panel, organized by two University of Wisconsin-Madison staff and faculty lobbying organizations, took place just hours after committee Republicans voted Tuesday in one sweeping motion to strip more than 500 items from Evers’ budget. Among those provisions were 14 UW System initiatives, including funding for programs that would make college more affordable for students.

Amid state budget debate and enrollment declines, campuses face uncertain futures

Wisconsin Public Radio

As Wisconsin lawmakers weigh their funding goals for higher education, two campuses are winding down due to declining enrollment and financial woes. We hear from Washington County officials aiming to save a struggling two-year college. Then, an education reporter brings us the latest news in Wisconsin higher education.

UW–Madison highlights their impact on communities across the state

NBC-15

Vice Chancellor for University Relations Charles Hoslet said that the university has positively impacted every part of the state since it was founded in 1848. “From the beginning, UW–Madison has been a vital contributor to the state’s industry and economy, and has helped raise people’s standard of living,” Hoslet said.

UW-Madison hopes for further computer and data sciences innovation as new building starts

Wisconsin State Journal

A “ground blessing ceremony” — which couldn’t accurately be called a groundbreaking ceremony, as a pit already exists where two former maintenance buildings stood — was held Tuesday, with university officials celebrating the growth of the school and emphasizing the importance of data analytics to UW-Madison and society going forward.

“That is what I’m most excited about this building and what we’re doing here,” Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said Tuesday. “To solve real, important problems in the world, so often we must engage across. We can’t do that if we’re siloed. We can’t do that if we’re wearing blinders.”

UW campuses will raise residential tuition for first time in 10 years

Wisconsin Public Radio

In-state undergraduate students in the University of Wisconsin System will see the first tuition hike since Republican state lawmakers instituted a tuition freeze a decade ago.

The UW System Board of Regents on Thursday approved the tuition hike with 16 members voting in favor and one voting against. Regents Héctor Colón and Jennifer Staton were not present. The average increase of 5 percent comes as a GOP bill aims to limit the board’s tuition setting authority once again.

UW System in-state undergraduates will see first tuition increase in a decade

Wisconsin State Journal

The UW Board of Regents on Thursday approved a 4.5% in-state tuition base increase. Proposed by System President Jay Rothman to lawmakers earlier this month, tuition for in-state undergraduates will increase by $372 at UW-Madison, $364 at UW-Milwaukee, $283 at other System four-year schools and about $214 at most branch campuses.