Roughly 500 gather to protest budget repair bill

A crowd of students, faculty and staff gathered in the parking lot outside the University Union at noon today (Feb. 17) to protest the budget repair bill. Public Safety estimated the crowd to number about 500 people, many of whom were carrying signs. Andrew Teale, president of the Student Government Association, organized the hour-long rally.

Several students, faculty and staff spoke to the crowd and voiced their opposition to the bill. Some speakers focused their comments on the importance of collective bargaining, while others spoke about the value of public employees, especially teachers at all levels. One staff member pointed out that some new graduates begin their private sector careers at salaries higher than his salary is after more than a decade of state service. Nearby, three people demonstrated in support of the Governor’s bill.