Current:Home > Contact-usTop Wisconsin Senate Republican says a deal is near for university pay raises. UW officials disagree-LoTradeCoin
Top Wisconsin Senate Republican says a deal is near for university pay raises. UW officials disagree
View Date:2024-12-23 23:54:20
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The leader of the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate said Wednesday that lawmakers are nearing a deal that would allow for long-blocked pay raises for Universities of Wisconsin employees to take effect and for funding to be released to pay for construction of a new engineering building.
But a UW spokesperson contested that account, saying an end to negotiations was not at hand.
Funding for the projects has been blocked amid an ongoing dispute primarily with Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who objects to UW spending public money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and staff.
Vos blocked pay raises for UW employees in October, when a legislative committee he co-chairs approved increases for other state employees. Vos, the state’s top Republican, said he doesn’t believe the university system deserves more funding until it cuts its DEI programs.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday that Vos has been working with UW President Jay Rothman and other school officials for months “to come to a compromise” and that “they’re really close right now.”
“I’ve thought all along that the engineering building needs to be done. Obviously, we’ve set aside the money for the wage adjustments in the budget, intending to get those through,” LeMahieu said. “So yeah, I think we should see in the near future, hopefully, an agreement.”
However, UW system spokesperson Mark Pitsch said in an email that “no deal is imminent,” and there are “broader considerations” to be taken into account. Pitsch did not specify what those considerations were or what legislative leaders had asked for in closed-door negotiations.
Vos did not respond to an email and voicemail seeking comment Wednesday, but he has previously called for the UW system to cut its spending by $32 million — the amount Republicans estimate that UW’s 13 campuses spend on so-called DEI efforts — or give up its authority to create its own jobs, including DEI positions.
Democrats have railed against the decision to withhold raises that were approved earlier this year in the bipartisan state budget. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers sued the Legislature in October, accusing the Republican majority of obstructing basic government functions by not signing off on the raises.
The fight over DEI initiatives reflects a broader cultural battle playing out in states such as Florida and Texas, where Republican governors have signed laws banning the use of DEI factors in making admissions and employment decisions at public colleges and universities. Similar proposals have been made in nearly a dozen Republican-led Legislatures, including Wisconsin’s.
___
Harm Venhuizen is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (994)
Related
- Massive dust storm reduces visibility, causes vehicle pileup on central California highway
- Republicans pressure Hunter Biden to testify next week as House prepares to vote on formalizing impeachment inquiry against Joe Biden
- College football award winners for 2023 season: Who took home trophies?
- A hospital fire near Rome kills at least 3 and causes an emergency evacuation of all patients
- It's Red Cup Day at Starbucks: Here's how to get your holiday cup and cash in on deals
- Online scamming industry includes more human trafficking victims, Interpol says
- Bo Nix's path to Heisman finalist: from tough times at Auburn to Oregon stardom
- Thousands of revelers descend on NYC for annual Santa-themed bar crawl SantaCon
- Bankruptcy judge questioned Shilo Sanders' no-show at previous trial
- Norman Lear's son-in-law, Dr. Jon LaPook, reflects on the legendary TV producer's final moments: He was one of my best friends
Ranking
- Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
- Israel presses on with Gaza bombardments, including in areas where it told civilians to flee
- 4 coffee table art books from 2023 that are a visual feast
- New York’s governor calls on colleges to address antisemitism on campus
- Kyle Richards Shares an Amazing Bottega Dupe From Amazon Along With Her Favorite Fall Trends
- Is Selena Gomez dating Benny Blanco? Singer calls producer 'my absolute everything'
- Psst, Reformation’s Winter Sale is Here and It’s Your last Chance to Snag Your Fave Pieces Up to 40% Off
- Norman Lear's son-in-law, Dr. Jon LaPook, reflects on the legendary TV producer's final moments: He was one of my best friends
Recommendation
-
Brianna LaPaglia Reacts to Rumors Dave Portnoy Paid Her $10 Million for a Zach Bryan Tell-All
-
Army vs. Navy best moments, highlights: Black Knights defeat Midshipmen in wild finish
-
LSU QB Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman Trophy
-
Packers have big salary-cap and roster decisions this offseason. Here's what we predict
-
Armie Hammer Says His Mom Gifted Him a Vasectomy for His 38th Birthday
-
Taylor Swift sets record as Eras Tour is first to gross over $1 billion, Pollstar says
-
Ukraine aid in growing jeopardy as Republicans double down on their demands for border security
-
Minnesota grocery store clerk dies after customer impales him with a golf club, police say