Senate expected to restore funding

Democrats who control the state Senate say they plan to restore substantial funding to the UW System in the budget adjustment bill.

Under the proposal, UW–Madison’s budget would be cut $7.9 million over the two years.

” I believe the proposal sends a clear message that the state’s flagship institution, like all UW campuses, should have the support it needs to remain one of this country’s top universities, without cutting enrollment,” says Chancellor John Wiley.

The plan, expected to receive approval from the full Senate this week, would cut $20 million from the amount approved last summer for the 2001-2003 UW System budget.

The governor’s original budget adjustment proposal reduced the UW System budget by $51 million over the two-year period, and the Assembly Republican version included $108 million in cuts.

The full Senate is expected to take up the budget changes approved by the Senate Democratic Caucus on Friday.A conference committee made up of legislators from each house will then meet to work out the differences between the budget proposals, before the budget adjustment bill is sent to the Governor for his review.

“It is my hope that the budget that is adopted by the full Legislature and signed by the governor will also recognize the role this university plays in educating tomorrow’s workforce and strengthening our state’s economy,” Wiley says.

The Senate Democrat proposal would fully fund the Madison Initiative, a public-private partnership that passed the legislature in the 2001-2003 budget.

In addition, the Senate Democratic Caucus:

• Increased funding for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant program by $473,500 and included language that ties future financial aid increases to tuition increases
• Maintained the 8 percent cap on in-state tuition approved by the Joint Finance Committee and did not include any surcharge on non-resident students beyond that approved in the 2001-2003 budget