Scott Walker
Coverage of Scott Walker in the Nexus archive.
- Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear second congressional maps challenge
The Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear a second challenge to the state’s congressional maps, with Bothfield v. Wisconsin Elections Commission arguing the districts are illegally gerrymandered. The court’s liberal majority faced criticism from conservative justices Rebecca Bradley and Annette Ziegler, who accused the court of political bias. The cases will not be resolved in time to affect the November midterms.
- University of Wisconsin Board of Regents propose raising tuition for fourth year in a row
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents proposes a 2% tuition increase for the fourth consecutive year, citing inflation and financial restructuring. The hike would raise annual tuition to $12,416 at UW-Madison and include a 3.5% rise in segregated fees. State funding for the UW System has dropped from 41.8% of the budget in 1984-85 to less than 20% recently, prompting reliance on tuition. Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany opposes the increase, pledging a tuition freeze if elected governor.
- Beyond the finger-pointing, the real casualties of the failed surplus deal are Wisconsin kids
A proposed deal to boost Wisconsin special education funding and cut property taxes collapsed after advocates discovered the funding guarantees were not as promised, leading to criticism of the plan's tax giveaways and insufficient long-term solutions for school funding. The agreement, which included $300 million in general school aid and an $870 million income tax rebate, was projected to create a $3 billion state deficit, with critics arguing it prioritized tax cuts over addressing systemic school budget shortfalls.