Republicans withdraw funding from Wisconsin universities due to their promotion of DEI programs.

Republicans in Wisconsin Legislature Vote to Cut University of Wisconsin’s Budget

Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature have made a controversial decision to pull millions of dollars in funds from the University of Wisconsin’s budget. The reason behind these cuts? Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

During an executive session of the joint committee on finance in the state legislature, legislators approved a staggering $32 million in cuts compared to previous allocations.

Targeting DEI Policies

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos explained that the cuts were specifically aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Vos expressed his belief that these initiatives have become a sort of “new religion” for those on the Left, and he questioned whether taxpayers should be funding them.

“For people on the Left, [efforts to promote diversity have] become their new religion. They no longer go to church on Sunday, but boy are they trying to make sure everybody is evangelized on campus. That’s their only one acceptable viewpoint. That’s not what I think taxpayers should be funding,” Vos told the Associated Press.

A Missed Opportunity and Setback

University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman expressed disappointment in the cuts, calling them a “missed opportunity and a significant setback.” Rothman highlighted the already low level of public funding for Wisconsin’s public universities and emphasized the importance of investing in talent development for the future workforce.

“However, Wisconsin’s public universities are already near the bottom nationally, at 42nd, in public funding. Investments at even half the rate of inflation would have afforded us a real opportunity to develop the talent that tomorrow’s workforce desperately needs. Instead, continued erosion of state investment will diminish student access and affordability at our public universities. This is a missed opportunity and a significant setback to Wisconsin’s efforts to win the war for talent,” Rothman stated.

Denouncement from Governor Evers

Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, strongly denounced the cuts when they were initially proposed. He accused the GOP of lacking meaningful solutions to address workforce challenges and criticized their long-standing war on higher education institutions in the state.

“Make no mistake, Speaker Vos and Republicans’ short-sighted move to gut our UW System by tens of millions of dollars is about one thing—Republicans’ decade-long war on higher education institutions in our state. It’s clear Republicans have no real or meaningful solutions to address our state’s longstanding workforce challenges, and that includes making the necessary investments to educate and retain talented students across our state,” Evers stated.

He further warned that these cuts would have disastrous consequences for the UW System, leading to potential cuts in campuses and critical programs statewide, ultimately harming the state’s economy and workforce.

Republican Opposition to DEI Programs

It’s worth noting that other states with Republican-controlled legislatures have also taken action against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law preventing state universities from using funds for such initiatives.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases