The state Senate has confirmed Governor Scott Walker’s appointment of Michael M. Grebe to the UW System Board of Regents – without a single Democratic vote. Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) cited the concerns of UW faculty.
“They no longer feel the state is willing to support our own universities at a level needed to be competitive,” Hansen said. “Mr. Grebe seems content to go further down this disturbing pass,”
Grebe is the son of Michael W. Grebe, who’s chaired Walker’s gubernatorial campaigns and the conservative Bradley Foundation. “The governor’s sole inspiration, sole reason for pushing so many of these folks, is because of political advantage,” said Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee).
“Putting more of Governor Walker’s close personal friends and campaign supporters on the Board of Regents will only weaken its authority, and leave Wisconsin students and families behind,” said minority leader, Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse).
A woman was escorted out of the Senate gallery after yelling that Grebe’s confirmation was “an outrage.” All 19 Republicans voted to confirm.
