Scott Walker acknowledges misfire on Wisconsin Idea, says aides miscommunicated

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Ray Cross

University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross told the Board of Regents on Thursday that he had accepted an apology for language in Gov. Scott Walker's 2015-17 budget proposal that altered the Wisconsin Idea mission statement.

JOHN HART— State Journal

Walker budget

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker delivers his state budget address at the Wisconsin state Capitol Tuesday.

JOHN HART -- State Journal archives

MATTHEW DeFOUR, DEE J. HALL and MARY SPICUZZA | Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Scott Walker acknowledged Thursday his administration botched the rewrite of the University of Wisconsin System’s mission statement in state law, blaming it on a miscommunication between his top aides and the state budget director’s office — which pushed the changes through even as top university officials objected.

Rebecca Blank: Scott Walker's budget would mean $91 million budget hole at UW-Madison

Rebecca Blank: Scott Walker's budget would mean $91 million budget hole at UW-Madison

The UW Board of Regents vowed to push back against the proposed budget cuts and correct misconceptions about how the schools function.

Scott Walker's conservation moratorium rubs some in GOP wrong way

Scott Walker's conservation moratorium rubs some in GOP wrong way

Stewardship land buys would be crushed as highway borrowing rises, but Assembly Republicans may salvage part of the program.

Tommy Thompson: Scott Walker has grueling year ahead to do well in Iowa

Tommy Thompson: Scott Walker has grueling year ahead to do well in Iowa

The former governor said he doesn't blame Walker's presidential schedule for a budget flap over the Wisconsin Idea.

Scott Walker dodges questions on evolution, foreign policy

Scott Walker dodges questions on evolution, foreign policy

His campaign issued a statement after the potential 2016 presidential candidate punted on an evolution question in London.

Gov. Scott Walker again refuses to clarify position on evolution

Assembly leaders say they believe in evolution.

UW professors urge Ray Cross to withdraw support for new UW public authority

UW professors urge Ray Cross to withdraw support for new UW public authority

The group of professors and students said that too little is known about how the new governing body would work, saying there is "no evidence" …

Rebecca Blank: UW-Madison layoffs could begin in April

Rebecca Blank: UW-Madison layoffs could begin in April

The state's biennial budget may not be finalized until May or June.

UW faculty union idea floated under new public authority, ultimately shot down

UW faculty union idea floated under new public authority, ultimately shot down

"I tend to believe collective bargaining for faculty and staff would not be a good fit to the current culture of UW-Madison," one professor sa…

Carillon Bell Tower

Scott Walker raises prospect of long-term tuition cap

The suggestion might win over lawmakers skeptical that more autonomy for the University of Wisconsin System would lead to runaway tuition increases.

Gov. Scott Walker's changes to state government amid likely presidential run called 'monumental,' 'evolutionary'

Gov. Scott Walker's changes to state government amid likely presidential run called 'monumental,' 'evolutionary'

Longtime state political observers offer a variety of takes on Walker's $68 billion two-year spending plan.

On Campus: Protesters upset they weren't let into Regents meeting

They held signs criticizing Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut $300 million in funding to the System in the next two years.

Scott Walker's statement on University of Wisconsin System proposal

Statement from Gov. Scott Walker:

Wisconsin Idea Drafting Notes

Wisconsin Idea Drafting Notes

Drafting notes from the Legislative Reference Bureau show when and how the instructions to change the Wisconsin Idea language in the state bud…

UW System enrollment

UW System enrollment

As UW budget went up, portion supported by state fell

As UW budget went up, portion supported by state fell

UW System revenue sourcess over time

Scott Walker backtracks from striking 'truth,' 'human condition' from Wisconsin Idea

Scott Walker backtracks from striking 'truth,' 'human condition' from Wisconsin Idea

Facing a massive backlash, Gov. Scott Walker retreated Wednesday from a proposal to wipe out the language at the foundation of the Wisconsin Idea.

Gov. Scott Walker unveils budget plan amid talk of a presidential run

The two-year spending plan is more than $68 billion.

Scott Walker's proposed $300 million higher education cut comes as other states are putting money back into colleges

Scott Walker's proposed $300 million higher education cut comes as other states are putting money back into colleges

Wisconsin is one of a handful of states that hasn't restored higher education funding in this fiscal year to where it was in 2009-2010.

Outcry over Scott Walker's plan to change Wisconsin Idea was swift, strong

Gov. Scott Walker's budget initially included striking parts of the long-held Wisconsin Idea -- a mission statement for higher ed about outrea…

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