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Walker Renews Calls For Future UW Autonomy

Budget Proposal Met Resistance Among GOP Lawmakers

By
SSShupe (CC-BY-NC)

Gov. Scott Walker says he wants state lawmakers to try again on the issue of giving the University of Wisconsin System more authority or flexibility to lower costs.

The state Legislature’s budget committee this week dumped Walker’s proposal to make the UW System a separate public authority, though the committee co-chairs are still promising to drop buying requirements and some other mandates. Walker said his big push will be to get lawmakers to take another look at the authority plan or other flexibility.

“Because we think that’s imperative for an adjustment to their budget that reflects 2.5 percent of their total budget,” he said. “We think that’s manageable given the right flexibility.”

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Walker wants to cut the UW budget by $300 million. Business groups in Milwaukee and Madison this week joined those calling for Republicans who control state government to limit any cuts to the UW.