A legislative leader says protecting the UW in these difficult financial times is a "must" for state lawmakers.
State Senate President Fred Risser (D-Madison) has long been a champion of the university, and says he needs to continue fighting with the state facing $5.4 billion in red ink.
The Madison Democrat says the budget can't be balanced with deep cuts to the UW because it's so important to the long term economic strength of the state. Risser says it's at the UW that ideas will likely germinate to foster an economic rebound.
Risser calls the UW the "heart of the state," and says it needs to be protected.