MADISON — Thursday, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted to release $32 million to the Universities of Wisconsin after Republicans cut the funds from the Universities of Wisconsin budget last year in an attempt to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

After today’s meeting, the Democratic members of the Joint Finance Committee issued the following statement:

“Our universities are our greatest tool to attract talent to Wisconsin and simultaneously confront our workforce shortage while meeting the challenges of the next generation. Legislative Republicans’ goal to dismantle our prized university system has been on full display once again this session, and the vote today is simply another reminder of their political meddling and harmful obstructionism. With that context in mind, we are glad to support releasing these funds back to campuses but we recognize other statewide priorities continue to be ignored by our state’s out-of-touch Republicans.

“Today, Legislative Republicans continue to withhold funds that would address urgent dangers as punishment for political problems they manufactured. We urge Co-Chairs Born and Marklein to release the $125 million for PFAS remediation, $15 million for Chippewa Valley healthcare providers, and put the health of Wisconsinites ahead of their political grievances.”

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Contacts:

Sen. LaTonya Johnson............(608) 266-2500

Sen. Kelda Roys………………(608) 266-1627

Rep. Tip McGuire....................(608) 237-9164

Rep. Deb Andraca…………….(608) 237-9123