Wisconsin's Top Republican Lawmakers Say They're Done Negotiating With the UW-System

Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

(AP) Wisconsin's top Republican lawmakers said Monday that they are done negotiating with the Universities of Wisconsin over a deal that would have given the university system's employees a pay raise and paid for the construction of a new engineering building in exchange for reductions in staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The UW Board of Regents rejected the deal in a hastily called special meeting on Saturday after regents voiced concerns about its targeting of DEI efforts. The regents are meeting again Tuesday in closed session to “deliberate and negotiate funding proposals and matters.” The fight in Wisconsin comes amid a broader cultural battle playing out across the nation over college diversity initiatives.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who reached the deal with UW President Jay Rothman, said Monday on WISN-AM that he hopes the regents will reconsider, but that he's not open to making any changes.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu concurred, saying in a statement that the current proposal “is the legislature’s last and best offer.”

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