Gov. Scott Walker released a letter to make changes to his budget proposal to the Joint Finance Committee Monday, pulling the removal of the ‘Wisconsin Idea’ from his budget proposal.
The errata letter outlines modifications to the biennial budget proposal, which was released in February. Reports in February said he would change the University of Wisconsin-Madison mission by removing language on spreading UW knowledge “beyond the boundaries of its campuses.”
UW System President Ray Cross said in a statement that this correction was welcome.
“We appreciate his willingness to address these items,” Cross said.
The Joint Finance Committee will begin taking votes on Walker’s budget on Wednesday.
In February, Walker’s spokesperson Laurel Patrick said in a statement that these proposed language changes were a drafting error.
“The Wisconsin Idea will continue to thrive,” Patrick said. “This was a drafting error. The final version of the budget will include the Wisconsin Idea.”
Walker also said in his errata that he wanted to cap undergraduate in-state tuition and tie it to the consumer price index beginning in the 2017-18 school year. Walker has proposed another two year tuition freeze for the upcoming budget.
UW-Madison’s out-of-state tuition will increase by $10,000 over next four years
Cross said they are planning on addressing and examining the CPI-based tuition cap. He said they agree Wisconsin residents deserve affordable tuition, but Cross said many legislators believe this kind of price control does not comply with the competitive and market-driven entity the state of Wisconsin needs.
“We are working with the legislature in a new spirit of openness, dialogue and partnership to reduce the proposed UW System budget cut and to approve a package of transformative operational flexibilities that will lead to greater efficiency and savings,” Cross said.
