Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who previously forced the Universities of Wisconsin to reduce diversity positions, has called for a comprehensive review of diversity initiatives across state government, stating that he has only just begun to dismantle equity and inclusion efforts. Vos reached an agreement with the Universities of Wisconsin earlier this month, freezing diversity hires, re-labeling positions, and dropping an affirmative action faculty hiring program. Despite criticism, Vos intends to continue his efforts to remove what he calls "cancerous DEI practices" and create a colorblind society. Democratic Governor Tony Evers' administration plans to continue diversity efforts despite objections from legislative Republicans.
Wisconsin's top Republican lawmaker, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, has announced that he is no longer negotiating with the Universities of Wisconsin over a deal that would have provided pay raises for university employees and funded the construction of a new engineering building in exchange for reductions in staff positions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The deal was rejected by the UW Board of Regents, prompting Vos to state that he will not make any changes to the agreement. Governor Tony Evers supports the regents' decision but wants negotiations to continue, while Vos insists that the deal must be enforced or funding for pay raises and the engineering building will not be approved.
A Republican-controlled legislative committee in Wisconsin approved 6% pay raises for most state employees over the next two years, but withheld any increase for University of Wisconsin (UW) staff unless the UW system eliminates its diversity, equity, and inclusion positions. Democrats criticized the move, with Governor Tony Evers calling it "wrong." The committee's decision reflects Republican opposition to the UW system's DEI initiatives, which some conservatives view as liberal indoctrination. Not all Republicans supported the decision, and UW President Jay Rothman expressed disappointment. UW campuses have faced financial challenges, and the rejection of pay raises for UW employees comes after repeated calls for approval. The approved plan also includes back pay for most state employees and higher starting wages for Department of Corrections guards.
