Governor Doyle announced his budget proposal tonight and it contained good news for us. He proposed that the university budget remain flat for the next two years. The problem is, of course, that it doesn't contain $120 million we need to cover "costs to continue" -- ie heat, light, health care costs, etc. It also takes other fees to the tune of $54 million. Some of this would be made up by a 5-6% tuition increase.
These are significant, but much better than I hoped. There will be another round of belt-tightening, but it shouldn't be too traumatic. It can't be as bad as the $250 million cut from a few years ago, though we are clearly leaner than before. Students also are protected somewhat, by an increase in financial aid to keep tuition flat for families with income under $60,000.
Here are two different stories:
The Journal-Sentinel reports it as a $174 million cut.
The Wisconsin State Journal calls university funding flat.
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