Republicans open to deeper cuts at UW System related to diversity efforts

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's top Republican wants to make even more cuts to diversity efforts on UW campuses than what he originally proposed, a day after Gov. Tony Evers threatened to veto the state budget if that funding was slashed.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he'd be open to chopping the UW Systems diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by more than $32 million, the amount he floated earlier in the week.

"I certainly think the cut could be deeper," Vos told reporters.

Vos added that Assembly Republicans are "rock solid" on the UW System cut, but noted he's unsure where the Senate stands.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said he doesn't have any comment to offer at this time.

Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) praised the Speaker's efforts and called on his Republican colleagues to look for "more ways to expand the level of cuts to wasteful spending in the UW System."

Nass also supports higher reductions than $32 million and suggested redirecting those funds towards new teaching positions to meet “high demand programs” and more courses “directly related to majors with corresponding career opportunities in the Wisconsin economy.”

On Tuesday, the Joint Finance Committee delayed taking votes on the UW System and it's unclear when they will take up the matter.

A spokeswoman for Evers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Wednesday, Evers said he would not sign a state budget if it included the cuts Vos proposed, calling them "ridiculous."

It comes as a battle has been brewing in Wisconsin and across the U.S. over efforts to cut DEI efforts on college campuses.

Vos believes diversity programs and positions at UW campuses are a waste of taxpayer dollars. He told reporters the $32 million was calculated through an open records request that listed all staff positions that related to DEI.

"The cut that we're talking about doesn't even cut everything at the university that is DEI related because we didn't actually have a way to get at that [through the open records request]," Vos said.

Vos prefers the UW System using that money toward expanding the workforce not racial divides.

"Let's promote economic development and careers we know we need," Vos said Wednesday. "They [UW System] kind of ignored that so if they have extra money, I think it should be taken back and the taxpayers of Wisconsin should be able to use it for something better than indoctrinating kids with left-wing ideology."

Mark Pitsch, a spokesman for the UW System, declined to comment about the proposed cuts but said, "We remain hopeful that the state will be an active partner in helping the UW System develop the talent Wisconsin’s workforce is counting on."

Democratic Sen. Kelda Roys, who represents the UW-Madison campus slammed the proposed cuts. 

“It’s too bad Robin Vos is allowing his personal vendetta against the UW System to get in the way of serving Wisconsin’s best interests," Roys said. "His doubling down on additional cuts shows this has nothing to do with policy and everything to do with his personal animus toward UW.”