‘Wisconsin Idea’ Will Remain Intact, Says Walker Spokeswoman

It appears that Gov. Scott Walker does not actually intend to end the “Wisconsin Idea” in his executive budget.

As the Center for Media and Democracy first pointed out on Wednesday, Walker’s newly proposed budget included changes to the University of Wisconsin’s mission statement. The changes would eliminate the UW’s goal to “extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses,” as well as the words, “Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth,” and instead would charge the UW to focus on helping the state’s workforce.

However, Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick sent the following e-mailed statement to Wisconsin Public Radio on Wednesday afternoon:

“The Wisconsin Idea will continue to thrive. This was a drafting error. The final version of the budget will include the Wisconsin Idea.”

More on what was included in Walker’s budget can be found here.