SUDER UPSET WITH UW TRAVEL STIPEND
Thursday, May 12th, 2005 -- 10:53 AM
An area legislator is crying foul over a ?lavish? vehicle stipend for University executives. Last week, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said she?s looking into whether a $700 monthly vehicle stipend for University of Wisconsin chancellors violated a 2003 settlement with the Board of Regents to make public deliberations over chancellor pay.
"All chancellors are now getting $700 a month to lease vehicles, which basically as much as a house payment in our area," Rep. Scott Suder said Wednesday.
He and two other legislators are reintroducing a bill that would force a public hearing before UW executive?s salaries, compensation or fringe benefits are increased.
"The university system tried to skirt the rules here saying a vote was held when, actually, none took place," Suder alleges.
"We're simply asking for a public hearing before these decisions are made."
Suder said it appears the chancellors received mileage reimbursements on top of the $700 allowance.
Chancellors began receiving the stipend last summer after they turned in their state-owned vehicles as part of Gov. Jim Doyle's plan to trim down the state fleet.
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