As Illinois lawmakers deal with the final details of a state budget, Wisconsin’s legislature is poised to make deep cuts in university spending.
Wisconsin’s legislative budget-writing committee has voted to cut the University of Wisconsin System by $250 million. It also moved to eliminate university tenure in state law in an attempt to save Wisconsin some money.
The proposal endorsed by the Joint Finance Committee still needs passage in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly and must be signed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker before taking effect. Walker had proposed a $300 million cut, but the committee lowered it by $50 million.
Gov. Walker wants to freeze tuition the next two years to help erase the state’s budget shortfall. The University of Wisconsin could raise tuition as much as it wants after that time.