UW Pushes Back on Budget Cut: ‘No Cuts Are Appropriate, Period’

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is pushing back against a state House budget amendment that would cut $20 million from its state funding, with a spokesman telling Cowboy State Daily on Monday that “the university continues to oppose any cut. UW is adamant: No cuts are appropriate, period.”

The dispute stems from dueling amendments that emerged Saturday during the House’s third reading of the two-year budget bill. The Joint Appropriations Committee had initially proposed a $40 million cut—about 10% of UW’s state operating grant. The Senate later restored that cut in its version.

But the House took a different path. Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, first offered an amendment restoring the full $40 million but requiring UW to find $5 million in savings by Dec. 1. The House approved it.

Then House Appropriations Chair John Bear, R-Gillette, offered a competing amendment that replaced Harshman’s plan with a new bargain: $20 million would remain cut; the other $20 million would be restored only if UW identifies $5 million in savings by year’s end. That amendment also passed.

“Many of you have probably heard of the ‘Art of the Deal,'” House Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner, R-Green River, said during debate. “The only real leverage we have is the power of the purse.”

Heiner referenced a Friday meeting between House leadership and university officials, calling it “very productive.” Bear said his amendment “came about based on discussions between leadership and the university.”

But some House members bristled at the process. Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, called it “another cram-down by our good leadership to get what they want.” Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, questioned the lack of transparency, noting the Appropriations Committee had previously cut its livestream for private discussions.

UW spokesman Chad Baldwin confirmed the Friday meeting occurred but said the university was not shown Bear’s amendment before it reached the floor. He said UW leaders “opposed any cut” during the discussion and explained that the university regularly reviews low-enrollment programs.

Baldwin also referenced a column by UW Board of Trustees Chair Kermit Brown addressing the “culture clash” between lawmakers and the university, which has faced legislative directives to eliminate DEI programs. Brown wrote that UW is “excising DEI concepts and advocacy from instruction, a process that is ongoing.”

Bear’s amendment includes two extra directives beyond Harshman’s: requiring UW to eliminate programs “with consideration” of enrollment numbers and to limit DEI functions.

UW’s final budget will be determined by a House-Senate conference committee now negotiating the two chambers’ $170 million difference.