Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.
Our UW System and our UW campuses are among the most valuable assets we have in Wisconsin.
UW is central to our state’s economy, it’s an essential part of our promise of public education, and it plays a critical role in helping our state recruit, train, and retain talented workers for Wisconsin’s workforce.
However, despite our best efforts, for more than a decade now, we’ve watched a war being waged on public higher education in Wisconsin, the devastating effects of which include campus closures, staff and faculty layoffs, and program cuts and consolidation.
Folks, we are at a critical juncture in our UW System’s history.
It’s time we address the challenges facing our UW System and make the investments necessary to right a decade worth of wrongs.
And if we want to build a strong workforce and economy prepared to meet the needs of the 21st Century, investing in higher education must be a top priority.
That’s why in my next budget, I will propose the largest biennial budget increase in our UW System’s state history.
I am glad that the System and the UW Board of Regents have joined me in supporting this significant and needed increase.
Wisconsinites deserve a UW System that is fully funded, fully functioning, and that meets the needs of our students, our workforce, and our local communities.
I can trace the path of my success back to the high-quality public education I received at the University of Wisconsin System, like many others in our state, including our legislators.
So, I look forward to the opportunities ahead to work together and make this budget one that reflects our state’s proud tradition of public education.
Thank you.
