MADISON, Wis. – The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents is scheduled to meet later today and take action on the proposed ultimatum from Speaker Vos and Legislative Republicans. Senate Democrats released the following joint statement:
“Let’s not lose sight of the false choices that brought us here. Republicans approved and voted for pay raises UW staff have earned, then blocked them on their own accord. Republicans ignored the business community, educators, and men and women who do the hard work by denying multiple vital building projects across Wisconsin – including the critically needed Engineering Building.
“Last week, after the Speaker’s “deal” was rejected by the Board of Regents, he and other legislative Republicans began threatening the state’s premier economic engine – our UW campuses – into the next budget over a crisis entirely of his creation. Speaker Vos and legislative Republicans are choosing to utilize the UW System, Senate confirmation authority, and people’s paychecks as pawns to stoke the flames of their unpopular culture wars.
“Our Democratic priorities are clear: We support the Universities of Wisconsin as a vital economic engine, we support building the infrastructure our campuses need to provide the best education, the best pipeline of talent and the best support for our economy, and we support releasing the raises that were approved months ago.
“It’s time to allow the Universities to do their work for students, business, and our state.”
