Governor Scott Walker backs off on his original plan to increase the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by more than $180 million. Backlash from revelations the system has $650 million in surplus has led politicians in both parties to call for a tuition freeze.
Walker on Thursday said he wants to keep about $20 million for economic development of the UW System while the other $160 million could go toward the tuition freeze, public schools or other educational priorities.
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee isn’t expected to take up funding for education until next month.