5 days ago
Lack of state support, Republicans are to blame for UWM's budget constraints
As a former member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and CEO of a local farm equipment manufacturer, I couldn't agree more with the importance of continuing to fund the materials science department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ('UWM's making a big mistake to cut engineering program at critical time,' June 3).
It is a vital part of the engineering program that offers vast economic benefits to Wisconsin's employers.
That said, Kathleen Gallagher and business leaders are dead wrong to place any blame on UWM's leadership or the UW System. Lack of adequate support from the state and 10 years of declining tuition revenue mandated by Republican politicians is the direct cause of UWM's budget constraints.
The facts are clear, when faced with a $4 billion surplus, the leadership in the Wisconsin Legislature, led by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, refuse to spend any additional funds on educating our future workforce.
Negotiations for a new budget are underway. If business leaders want educational opportunities like the materials science program to continue, they should make their case to Vos and LeMahieu; they hold the checkbook, not university leaders.
John W. Miller, Fox Point
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Blame for UWM budget woes goes to lawmakers, not UW leaders | Letters
