Walker visits UW-Green Bay to meet students, media

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker made a 45-minute stop on the UW-Green Bay campus late Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 9) to meet with local news media and about two dozen student supporters in Mary Ann Cofrin Hall Room 201.

Walker touted his proposal for another two-year UW System tuition freeze for the budget biennium beginning next July. He delivered a short campaign speech, responded to reporters’ questions and then took time to pose for photos and chat with students.

The governor was joined for the event by Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who also spoke briefly. Eric Kissinger, chairman of the College Republicans, introduced Walker, and student Amanda Metcalf spoke in favor of the tuition freeze.

Walker’s stop in Green Bay was part of a larger tour of UW System universities, with an earlier visit Tuesday to UW-Milwaukee and events planned for Wednesday in La Crosse, Eau Claire and Parkside. “Education should be affordable and accessible, and we’ve worked hard to ensure our sons and daughters can benefit from our outstanding UW System,” the governor told the MAC Hall gathering.

In his remarks and in responding to the media, Walker weighed in on other topics:

• Reports of a projected $1.8 billion deficit for the two-year budget ending June 30 — The governor said state government has time to adjust its spending in response to any projected shortfall, that the state will continue to “squeeze out more efficiencies,” and that he is personally confident tax collections will improve with the economy and further close the gap.

• Criticism of his November opponent, Mary Burke — Walker mentioned Burke repeatedly, contrasting his own record with that of the Doyle Administration when Burke served as a cabinet secretary and the Madison Metropolitan School District, where Burke is a current board member.

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