Regents roundup: Budget, pay plan, new leadership

The UW System Board of Regents wrapped up its two-day June meeting Friday (June 7) at UW-Milwaukee. As we told you here yesterday, the proposed state budget garnered a lot of attention, with a new report that the System would face some $202 million in cuts, funding transfers and unfunded expenses if the Joint Finance Committee’s spending plan is approved. Part of that discussion involved the UW System’s reserves, which have been a source of controversy during the budget-writing process. Several regents on Thursday said UW System officials should have been more transparent about their financials, so lawmakers wouldn’t have been so surprised by news of a System surplus. Also of interest, the regents on Friday approved a pay-raise proposal that could eventually lead to raises for all UW System employees. The proposal means the UW System would ask that its employees be included in any salary raises given to all state employees, and that the System would be given autonomy to provide further increases from its own resources. The board also elected new leadership Friday, choosing Regent Michael Falbo of Franklin as its president and Regent Regina Millner of Madison as vice president.
Additional details:
“Regents reflect on budget debate as learning opportunity” (UW System News)
“UW regents blame lack of financial transparency” (Associated Press)
“UW regents support pay-raise proposal” (Associated Press)
“UW System Board of Regents elects new leadership” (UW System News)