UW Student Group Asks For Line-Item Budget Veto From Walker

With the state budget now in Governor Scott Walker’s hands, several groups are asking Walker for vetoes.

One is the University of Wisconsin student group United Council, whose funding was put in jeopardy by GOP state lawmakers.

Republicans tucked the change into the larger University of Wisconsin budget where it caught United Council members by surprise. Right now, students vote by referendum on whether they want a United Council group on their campus. Campuses that vote yes charge students a $3 fee that students can ask to have refunded. This plan would end that system.

Democrats like Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, tried to put the funding back in the Senate last week.

Jauch: “What is the purpose in denying the students their voice, Mr. President?”

Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, however, called it one of many fees that ought to be cut to save students money.

Grothman: “I’ve been trying to get this thing in the budget for 18 years.”

The effort to restore the funding came up one vote short in the Senate. Now, United Council government relations director Dylan Jambrek says students are asking the governor to veto this provision. Jambrek hopes Walker considers what United Council does for students.

Jambrek: “The governor has been very clear about being an advocate for affordability in higher education this budget cycle, and that’s the whole reason United Council exists. So if he wants an ally in making sure that the UW is affordable for working families, it would make sense to save United Council.”

The proposal is one of many that were added to the budget by state lawmakers. Governor Walker has said he’s reviewing the budget for vetoes this week and will sign it by July 1.