MADISON, Wis. — As college students across the state head back to campus, they might see a familiar face.
Gov. Tony Evers is making the rounds to pitch his funding proposal that could help keep some schools afloat amid budget struggles as he announced his 2025-27 budget will propose a more than $800 million increase for the Universities of Wisconsin.
“We have an obligation to make sure the system itself is in a good place and it can’t be done with just nickel and diming it every year,” Gov. Evers told reporters after a tour at UW-Madison on Wednesday afternoon.
If the governor were to get his way, it would be the largest biennial increase in state funding for the Universities of Wisconsin in state history.
As he continued his annual statewide tour Wednesday, Gov. Evers spent part of his afternoon sitting down with students.
“I think you heard from the group here today that they value the services that are offered on the campus, and that is part and parcel of being a student these days,” Gov. Evers said.
Last month, the Board of Regents approved a budget request that matched the governor’s proposal. His pitch comes as five UW branch campuses announced closures, while several others have been forced to furlough and lay off employees or make cuts in other ways.
With new legislative maps, and an election in November, Gov. Evers, a former Regent himself, is optimistic lawmakers will at least listen to his funding plan come early next year.
“This is a time where we’ll see a little different Legislature to start with, and I think more people in the Legislature who understand the importance of the University of Wisconsin System to make sure our economy is as strong as possible, and so I think it will get a fair hearing from the Legislature,” Gov. Evers explained.