State Democrats Introduce “Reaching Higher for Higher Education” Package

Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) With the UW System facing a $60 million deficit, Democrats in the legislature are proposing bills to assist students and staff.

At a Capitol press conference on Tuesday, expressions of frustration, aimed primarily at Republican lawmakers. Representative Jodi Emerson of Eau Claire, “We're seeing longtime faculty and staff leaving higher education altogether.”

UW Green Bay associate professor John Shelton, “We are frustrated, right, and we're frustrated because we care about our students, and we know that our students deserve better.”

Representative Katrina Shankland wants employees to get pay hikes that are already in the state budget. “That's why we are introducing legislation to withhold per diem payments and mileage from the legislature, when they've already approved a budget authorizing pay raises, until they release the pay raises through the legislative process.”

Those pay increases are at the center of a dispute between the UW and Republicans over campus diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Shankland and Representative Jodie Emerson introduced ten bills on Tuesday.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.