That discussion of removal of UW governance from the state budget is sparked by two other items; One is the proposed NBA arena for the city of Milwaukee where all the democrats from that city and county including the mayor and state legislators beside not offering any support except verbal to the owners. Milwaukee’s state legislators would be voting No if left in as a budget item
Alas because republicans are in control of both houses every state taxpayer would wind up coughing up some 400 million$ paying for a sport complex arena exclusive to the city of Milwaukee for a Milwaukee Bucks arena. That tab would eventually wind up in Walker and the Republican’s lap who would be blamed for it by the rest of the state.
The other item under discussion is “prevailing wage” which jacks up the costs of any taxing bodies proposed construction. Which is support its continuation by some republicans in the WI state senate on the construction dole.
Milwaukee - who will benefit from the arena, is more than willing to build a toy train but not so willing to put some money into the kitty for the arena. But that’s Tom Barrett and Co. for you.