Milwaukee Area Business Leaders, voice support managers to increase the budget of the UW system

Milwaukee public and private leaders claim that the increase in funding for Wisconsin system universities will lead more people to live and work in the state.

Last year, The universities of the president of Wisconsin, Jay Rothman, have announced that the system would ask the state legislature an increase in the budget of $ 855 million in the next state budget. Before a panel event in downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday, Rothman said that Wisconsin ranks 43rd at the national level of four-year higher education.

“To win the talent war, we just have to do better,” said Rothman.

“With this funding, we would be better placed to innovate, develop talents and associate with companies and communities,” he added. “Without this, access and affordability will be threatened.”

Rothman said that 19 regional business chambers of the State signed a letter in support of the increase in financing. The letter Said the states that the border of Wisconsin – Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota – all rank in the Top 10 for the financing of the public university.

“The universities of Wisconsin are undoubtedly the producer of Wisconsin talents, and it is time that we all support more investment, so that this great asset that the inhabitants of Wisconsin have supported for generations can prosper in the future “Said Rothman. “Our alternative is to allow it to wither on the vineyard.”

The mayor of Milwaukee, Cavalier Johnson, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explained why he supports the reinforcement of the budget during the panel.

“In terms of talent development, Wisconsin universities and institutions within the organization have a great and formidable role to play to stimulate our economy, not only locally here in Milwaukee, but in Madison and elsewhere in the whole Wisconsin condition, “said Johnson.

Tina Chang, CEO of Syslogicalso spoke to support the increase in the budget. She said that she had chosen to stay and work in Wisconsin after having attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

“Large systems like Uw-Madison draw the attention that we could not get as a state otherwise,” said Chang. “It is so important, not only for research, but also the dollars of investment in our state, and we must continue to shout this on the roofs. “”

Over the past two years, Registration through the system has increased. Last year, overall registration increased by just over 1,000 students. However, Six two -year branch campuses have also closed or are planned for the closure.

Governor Tony Evers will present his next budget proposal for two years later this month. An Everse spokesman provided a September statement from the Governor who said that Evers was supporting more than $ 800 million to the system in his next budget.

“Our UW system and our public education are an essential element of the workforce of our state, our economy and our future success,” Evers in the press release wrote. “If we want to keep the local talent of Wisconsin and bring children brighter to our state – and keep them here too – we must invest in our UW system throughout the state. It’s as simple as that.

Dale Kooynega, the president of Metropolitan Milwaukee Commerce Associationalso attended the event on Wednesday.

“Education is fundamental for what we need for the workforce, and also, from a demographic point of view, there are huge data that show that adults or young adults will remain and work there Where they go to school, “said Kooynega after the panel.

An analysis of Tallo I found that the majority of students said they planned to find a job near where they frequent the university.

The push for more funding is a recent projection The Wisconsin population is expected to decrease nearly 200,000 residents by 2050.

Johnson pushes to Increase the city’s population to 1 million residents. He said he had heard many young people from Milwaukee who move to other cities before or after university.

“And if we make this kind of investment in our university system, if we show young people that,” hey, there are opportunities for you here, there are possibilities for you here “, I think that helps us To be a more competitive place, “said Johnson.