The update below was shared with senators and guests at the Faculty Senate meeting yesterday. The Senate meets in Room 272 Bascom Hall at 3:30 pm on the first Monday of the month, October-December and February-May.
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Last week, Michael Bernard Donals, President of PROFS, and Jack O’Meara, PROFS’ lobbyist, sent an email to all faculty with an update on the federal and state elections. The text of that message is below:
Hello UW-Madison Faculty Member:
With the election a few days behind us, we wanted to get in touch to summarize what happened and where we see things going in the days and months ahead. We particularly want to make sure you are aware of the results in the state legislative elections.
On Election Night, Wisconsin–long a battleground state–gave former President Donald Trump the electoral college votes he needed to declare victory. Trump won the state by roughly 30,000 votes.
We can expect major changes in higher education policy under President Trump. Here are some articles on that topic:
- Trump’s victory sets stage for dramatic changes to higher ed policy
- What Trump’s Victory Means for Higher Ed
- Anxiety and Speculation in Wake of Trump’s Win
- Trump’s win could spell the end of Biden’s higher education policies
Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin won a close election, defeating her opponent, Eric Hovde, by about 29,000 votes for a third term in the Senate. Our longtime local congressman, Democrat Mark Pocan, was also re-elected. PROFS has strong relationships with Senator Baldwin and Congressman Pocan, dating to their times in the Wisconsin Legislature, and we look forward to working with them and their staffs in 2025.
Because of Democratic losses in other states, control of the U.S. Senate will shift to the Republicans. Control of the U.S. House of Representatives has yet to be determined, as many races, particularly on the West Coast, have not been called. This will be a significant factor in whether President Trump will be able to fully advance his agenda.
The balance of power in the Wisconsin Legislature will be much closer in January following a lawsuit over gerrymandering that resulted in new, more competitive legislative maps. Democrats, however, were not able to take control of the State Assembly, as they had hoped. Given that only half the Senate is up for election every two years, it was not realistic for the Democrats to take back the Senate, but it is noteworthy that the Democrats won all of the most competitive races on the Senate side.
Democrats picked up 10 seats in the State Assembly and four seats in the State Senate. This means there will be 54 Republicans and 45 Democrats in the Assembly, and 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats in the Senate. In the previous legislative session, the balance was 64-35 and 22-11, meaning the Republicans had a supermajority in the Senate and a near-supermajority in the Assembly. Legislators can override vetoes from Democratic Governor Tony Evers with supermajorities.
Some of the notable new faces in the Legislature include Democratic Representative-elect Renuka Mayadev, who will serve in the newly-created district that represents UW-Madison and many areas where UW employees live. Rep.-elect Mayadev currently works at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Also of note, Democratic Senator-elect Jamie Wall, a business consultant in Green Bay, was a Rhodes Scholar after receiving his bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison. Senator Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison), a strong advocate for the faculty and UW-Madison, was also re-elected.
Legislators are beginning to elect their leadership. Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) was elected by her caucus to serve as Senate President. Senator Felzkowski is a long-time member of the Joint Finance Committee. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) will continue to serve as leader. More leadership votes will take place next week, and committee memberships will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2025-27 state budget, including funding for UW-Madison and the Universities of Wisconsin, will be at the top of the agenda for the new Legislature when they take office in January. Following the recommendation of UW System President Jay Rothman, the UW Board of Regents has requested $855 million in new funding for the universities.
Last week, the Legislative Council Study Committee on the Future of the UW System endorsed the idea of a separate board and separate funding for UW-Madison, along with bonding authority for the university, plus other suggestions. PROFS will monitor developments and advocate for the best possible result for UW-Madison and its faculty.
As always, let us know if you have concerns, suggestions, or questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Bernard-Donals, English & Jewish Studies
PROFS PresidentJack O’Meara
PROFS Lobbyist
A legislative study committee has been meeting since July to discuss UW System’s enrollment and budget challenges. The committee met for last time last month and voted on 19 proposed recommendations, and the results of their votes were made public on Thursday. Our statement on their action is here:
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PROFS shared the message and slides below with its membership earlier this week. We encourage all faculty to take a few minutes in class to ensure students have accurate information about the process and requirements to vote in Wisconsin.
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The update below was shared with senators and guests at the Faculty Senate meeting yesterday. The Senate meets in Room 272 Bascom Hall at 3:30 pm on the first Monday of the month, October-December and February-May.
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The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents is meeting at UW-Parkside on Thursday and Friday, September 26 and 27. Registration to watch the open portions of the meetings is here. The Regents met informally at a welcome reception on Wednesday evening and will meet again at the inauguration of UW-Parkside Chancellor Lynn Akey on Thursday evening.
The Regents will be in committee meetings Thursday morning:
The Regents will meet in full session Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. On Thursday, they will hear a presentation from UW-Parkside Chancellor Lynn Akey and updates from UWs President Jay Rothman and Regent President Amy Bogost. They will also discuss the planning, approval, and review of the academic program array and present 2024 University Staff Excellence Awards.
Regents will meet in two separate closed sessions — one to discuss the dismissal with cause of former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow and one to discuss potential litigation, the naming of a UW-Oshkosh facility, and chancellor performance evaluations.
The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will meet tomorrow and Friday, August 22 and 23, in Van Hise Hall on the UW-Madison campus. Zoom links for the open meetings are available here.
The Regents will meet in committee Thursday morning:
The full board will meet Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
On Thursday, the board will hear reports from incoming Regent President Amy Bogost, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman, and the Wisconsin Technical Colleges Board. The board will also consider approval of committee action, including the biennial budget proposals, and recognize the service of Regent Emeritus Dana Wachs and UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo and Sean Nelson, UWs Vice President for Finance and Administration, who are both retiring in September.
The Regents will meet in closed session on Friday morning.
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Earlier today, PROFS sent a letter to Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman and UW Board of Regents President Amy Blumenfeld Bogost encouraging them to support the $800 million biennial budget proposal that Governor Tony Evers shared with the board earlier this summer.
Our letter:
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Jimmy Anderson, Samba Baldeh, and Melissa Ratcliff, all State Representatives in the 16th Senate District, are running in the Democratic primary. Incumbent State Senator Melissa Agard chose not to run for reelection and is a candidate for Dane County Executive in 2025. The newly-drawn district includes Fitchburg, eastern Dane County, and parts of Dodge County and Jefferson County. There is no Republican running for the seat, so the primary winner is almost certain to win in November. Baldeh did not respond to our request.
Jimmy Anderson
Jimmy Anderson’s responses:
What are your goals for your first/next term in office should you be elected?
If I am elected, I will prioritize making our healthcare system more accessible, affordable, and responsive for all Wisconsinites, including people with disabilities. That means expanding Medicaid in Wisconsin, capping healthcare costs for the uninsured, preventing insurance companies from raising rates without just cause, lowering the prices of prescription drugs, and giving patients more resources to advocate for themselves. I will also continue championing legislation to fully fund our public education system, from pre-k through college: increasing the state special education reimbursement rate from 33 to 90%, boosting aid to childcare providers, stemming the flow of taxpayer dollars into the unaccountable voucher system, and supplying state funding higher education more affordable – including need-based financial aid and student loan forgiveness. Overturning Act 10 will be instrumental to ensuring that every worker, public or private, has the right to a strong union and collective bargaining, a living wage and decent benefits, a safe and healthy workplace, and self-determination for themselves and their families. We must protect our environment and combat climate change. We must overturn the archaic 1849 abortion ban and enshrine reproductive rights into our state Constitution. Finally, Wisconsin’s affordable housing crisis must be addressed: I will continue fighting for policies that incentivize building more affordable housing, expanding assistance programs such as the Homestead Tax Credit, and reintroduce my Tenant Protection Package, which prohibits housing discrimination against immigrants, provides grants for tenants’ legal representation, codifies compensation for uninhabitable conditions, and guarantees tenants’ right to organize.
Please describe your qualifications and what sets you apart from your fellow candidates.
I grew up the son of a union truck driver and a Mexican immigrant and became the first in my family to go to college. During law school, a drunk driver took the lives of my mother, father, and little brother, and left me paralyzed. In the aftermath of that accident, the Affordable Care Act saved my life, allowing me to afford rehabilitation. I realized first-hand the importance of compassionate policy, which provides grace in the moments when we are hurting the most – and the grave consequences of accepting a system that forces us to make impossible sacrifices. My experience inspired me to run for office and fix what was broken in our system. I was elected in 2016 and have served in the State Assembly for the last eight years, focusing on issues around healthcare, environmental protection, school funding, and disability access. My state legislative experience, which is more than both of my opponents’ combined, has prepared me to be effective on day one. If Democrats only have a slim or brief majority, experience and trusted relationships will be essential to making our progressive vision for Wisconsin a reality. Secondly, I believe strongly in the ideals of a representative democracy. No one else in the legislature looks like me, despite about 20% of our state having some form of disability. My voice is needed in the capitol because my lived experiences give me special insight into how legislation might unintentionally impact or harm the disabled community.
While UW-Madison is situated in Dane County, its role as an economic engine it benefits the entire state. UW-Madison also has unique needs that are different from the other Universities of Wisconsin. Please tell us how you would represent UW-Madison in the Legislature and encourage your colleagues from outside Dane County to understand the statewide benefit of a strong UW-Madison?
Over the eight years I have served on the Assembly’s Colleges & Universities Committee, I have consistently advocated for fully funding our university system. Well-funded universities provide immense benefits to everyone in Wisconsin, from training our future workforce to making our state a better place to raise a family. In fact, every dollar invested in the UW system creates a $23 return for the state. Therefore, making higher education more affordable and accessible for everyone, regardless of means, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability status, will continue to be a major focus of mine in the State Senate. As a proud graduate of UW-Madison’s law school, I agree that our flagship university occupies a special place in the UW system, given its ability to draw students from across the country and world, its world-renowned faculty, programs, and the incredible world-changing research it produces. If elected, I will do everything in my power to maintain – and expand – UW-Madison’s resources so it can continue to operate as a beacon of innovation, opportunity, and learning for all.
State funding for higher education has fallen dramatically over the past several decades, resulting in a dependence on tuition and fundraising to replace decreased state support. A ten-year long tuition freeze coupled with previous state budget cuts has forced UW-Madison to make serious cuts, while other UW System campuses face devastating budget shortfalls. How would you address these concerns if elected?
Republicans’ recent cuts to the UW system’s budget – as well as their efforts to make university funding conditional upon universities’ adherence to a regressive and inflexible ideological program – are simply unconscionable. We can no longer be a state that funds our prison system more than we fund our universities. If I am elected to the State Senate, I will work hard to ensure that the state fully reinvests in the UW system, including the Wisconsin Grants and Tuition Promise initiatives. I fully support the legislative Democrats’ “Reaching for Higher Ed” package, and will continue to champion it if I am elected to the State Senate. Although providing more state funding will help reduce the need for future students to take on loans, we must also do more to provide relief for the over 700,000 graduates who are struggling to pay off pre-existing student loan debt. I would also support legislation to allow borrowers to refinance their loans at lower interest rates and deduct student loan payments from state income taxes.
The current legislative majorities have worked to delegitimize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Legislators have forced the university to reclassify DEI positions and a legislative audit of UW DEI programs is underway. UW-Madison as an institution understands diversity to be a value that is inextricable from its other values, including educational and research excellence. Tell us about your legislative priorities on diversity, racial justice, and their relation to the values you hold related to higher education.
The importance of DEI to the wellbeing of UW’s student body is undeniable and I will actively work to safeguard and empower these initiatives if I am elected to the State Senate. During the state budget process last year, legislative Republicans cut UW funding by $32 million and attempted to eliminate the university system’s 188 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion positions. Directly targeting programs designed to support minority students not only contributes to a long-found pattern of exclusion, it also dampens opportunities for all students to succeed. According to UW-Madison’s Diversity Inventory report, the Republican budget cut for DEI services has managed to decrease the target population for DEI initiative change from 65,584 in 2022 to just 1,335 in a single year. We must safeguard DEI programs from such cuts in the future and make sure that our universities are not only authorized, but encouraged, to proactively support underrepresented student populations. As a disabled, Latino man, I have greatly benefited from DEI programs and fully understand how they help individuals from all backgrounds climb up the economic ladder. If I am elected to the State Senate, I promise to restore what’s been lost and prevent Republicans from dismantling these incredibly important programs.
Wisconsin ranks near the bottom of state funding for four-year post-secondary education, while state funding for two-year technical education is among the best in the country. How would you address this disparity in the Legislature?
As a state, we absolutely have the resources to eliminate this inequity without sacrificing state support for technical colleges and vocational programs. I fully supported Governor Evers’ proposal to allocate $306 million in state funding to the UW System in the last state budget, and I will support similar investments in the future. If we want to increase enrollment, attract and retain talented students, staff, and faculty, and empower UW-Madison to compete with other top-tier universities across the country, we have to make the same investments in our four-year campuses as we have made in our technical college system.
Work on the 2025-27 state budget will begin shortly after legislators are sworn into office. What are your funding priorities?
My top budget priority if elected to the State Senate will be public school funding, from childcare and pre-k all the way through to higher education. Wisconsin must uphold its responsibility to fully fund our public schools to provide all students with an equal opportunity to learn and grow. However, our current school funding formula is outdated and broken. Communities are forced to go to referendum over and over again just to keep the doors of their public schools open, all while the state sits on a multi-billion dollar surplus. We must use our resources to invest in our public education system and stop expanding funding to voucher programs that only shortchange public schools while deepening inequities. In addition to school funding, I will prioritize investments in affordable housing, cleaning up PFAS in our water systems, supporting our colleges and universities, increasing eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Homestead Tax Credit, expanding Medicaid, and reducing costs of living for lower and middle class families.
PROFS has long advocated for paid family leave for all employees and is pleased that UW-Madison and the Universities of Wisconsin recently approved a modest six-week paid parental leave benefit. We believe this is just the first step and more needs to be done. Will you support initiatives like those offered by Governor Evers that would expand paid leave to state employees and create a paid leave insurance program for public and most private sector employees in the state?
All Wisconsin workers deserve to know that they can take time away from work to care for a child or support an ill family member without losing pay or access to benefits. I fully support Governor Evers’ proposal to guarantee public and private sector workers 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. I believe that we can best serve our communities and our economy by enacting policies that treat workers like human beings, and enacting universal paid family & medical leave is a paramount example of that worldview.
Melissa Ratcliff
Melissa Ratcliff’s responses:
What are your goals for your first/next term in office should you be elected?
Statewide, we should repeal the 1849 law criminalizing abortion as our first act in the new legislature. For the people I will represent in Senate District 16, better access to high-speed internet is a key issue. Lack of broadband affects education, business, our farmers, and access to health care. District residents are also affected by the lack and cost of childcare.
Please describe your qualifications and what sets you apart from your fellow candidates.
My background and experience are the best fit for new Senate District 16. I am a working mom who understands residents’ concerns. I will bring my proven track record of getting results, fighting for our shared values, and working tirelessly for the communities I serve to the State Senate. I have lived in small towns and rural communities like those in District 16. My experience in the State Assembly, on the Village Board and County Board gives me a unique perspective. With new maps, we need leaders who will help change the face of the Senate in years to come. I have earned the endorsement of more than 100 current and former elected leaders throughout the district including former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Former Fitchburg Mayor Frances Huntley-Cooper, Jefferson County Board Chair Steve Nass and Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley. My priorities include ensuring access to abortion, supporting public schools, protecting the environment, expanding health care, increasing access to broadband, support for LGBTQIA+ communities, and supporting the needs of rural communities.
While UW-Madison is situated in Dane County, its role as an economic engine it benefits the entire state. UW-Madison also has unique needs that are different from the other Universities of Wisconsin. Please tell us how you would represent UW-Madison in the Legislature and encourage your colleagues from outside Dane County to understand the statewide benefit of a strong UW-Madison?
In the Assembly, I have been a vocal supporter of UW-Madison and have pushed back hard on efforts to eliminate and undermine DEI. Many of my colleagues, unfortunately, simply try to score political points by disparaging Dane County and Madison. With fair maps in place, after decades of being one of the most gerrymandered states in the Country, we have the opportunity to change the make-up of the legislature. I have worked tirelessly ever since I was in public life to elect Democrats up and down the ticket. I will continue to do so. We need a majority in the legislature in order to truly make progress on the issues that Wisconsinites overwhelmingly support but which are bottled up in partisan gamesmanship.
State funding for higher education has fallen dramatically over the past several decades, resulting in a dependence on tuition and fundraising to replace decreased state support. A ten-year long tuition freeze coupled with previous state budget cuts has forced UW-Madison to make serious cuts, while other UW System campuses face devastating budget shortfalls. How would you address these concerns if elected?
The UW System needs more funding from the legislature and less meddling. I have supported measures to increase funding to the UW system and I have coauthored bills to make the University more affordable for students such as AB 990 which would have created a grant program to close the gap between any scholarships or grants that an eligible student received outside of this program and the full cost of tuition and fees. The University of Wisconsin system is an economic generator for our state. We need to invest in our UW system in order to support more students to come here and stay here. For every $1 we invest in the UW System, we get a $27 return on our dollar. That makes smart sense fiscally. Cutting funding for a program that earns a $27 return? That doesn’t make sense. We need the brain trust in our state to stay here to contribute to our economy and we want younger people to stay here, raise their families, and be a part of Wisconsin’s economy.
The current legislative majorities have worked to delegitimize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Legislators have forced the university to reclassify DEI positions and a legislative audit of UW DEI programs is underway. UW-Madison as an institution understands diversity to be a value that is inextricable from its other values, including educational and research excellence. Tell us about your legislative priorities on diversity, racial justice, and their relation to the values you hold related to higher education.
I will continue to prioritize DEI in the Senate just as I did in the Assembly. I personally communicated my opposition to System officials when DEI positions were about to be cut. I understand the value of DEI positions and know how important it is to have DEI as part of the vision/mission statement: that makes equity and inclusion part of the culture of the school. When DEI is removed, the culture of the campus changes because students and staff know that is no longer a focus. I strongly opposed AB 245 which contained poison pills that would have banned using local tax dollars for DEI initiatives. As the mother of a transgender child, I cofounded the legislative Transgender Parent and Non-Binary Advocacy Caucus both to advocate for transgender and non-binary youth and community, and to be active in opposing anti-trans legislation which targeted trans and non-binary youth, equity, inclusion and diversity.
Wisconsin ranks near the bottom of state funding for four-year post-secondary education, while state funding for two-year technical education is among the best in the country. How would you address this disparity in the Legislature?
The University of Wisconsin is one of the state’s biggest assets. It is a critically important economic driver in our State and one of the nation’s premiere public Universities. We should be working together to make the System healthier and stronger. The legislature needs to increase support for the UW System. Legislators need to work with UW Leadership to help identify and enact innovative and proactive ways to increase enrollment. Legislative leadership should stop bashing the UW, stop meddling, and invest more in the System.
Work on the 2025-27 state budget will begin shortly after legislators are sworn into office. What are your funding priorities?
Fund our public schools, including our public universities. Expand access to health care. Prioritize family-supporting policies including investing in safe, affordable childcare. Continue funding for expansion of broadband. Invest in conservation and sustainability initiatives.
PROFS has long advocated for paid family leave for all employees and is pleased that UW-Madison and the Universities of Wisconsin recently approved a modest six-week paid parental leave benefit. We believe this is just the first step and more needs to be done. Will you support initiatives like those offered by Governor Evers that would expand paid leave to state employees and create a paid leave insurance program for public and most private sector employees in the state?
Yes! I strongly support expanding paid leave to state employees and increasing access to it for public and private sector workers. I have been a strong advocate for Paid Family Leave for years. It will allow people to care for their families or themselves without concern for the loss of a job. It also helps small employers attract and compete with the benefits that larger employers can provide.
Incumbent Mike Bare and challenger Nasra Wehelie are running in Assembly District 80 Democratic primary. The district now includes portions of the far west and southwest sides of Madison, Cross Plains, the Town of Middleton, and Verona.
Mike Bare
Mike Bare’s responses:
What are your goals for your first/next term in office should you be elected?
A lot obviously depends on whether Democrats get into the majority in the Assembly or not. Either way, I will continue to champion economic security issues. And regardless of the balance of the chamber, we, as a team, need to defend our democracy, restore our rights, and make investments in our community. Those investments must include UW.
Please describe your qualifications and what sets you apart from your fellow candidates.
At a time when our government is dysfunctional, I have a long list of accomplishments and familiarity with how the Legislature and our policies work. I’m a public servant, small business owner, anti-poverty advocate, and father. I’m relentless about making progress on our challenges. I’m guided by Progressive values in everything I do. I’ve served in City and County government; advocated at the local, state, and federal level; and I worked for U.S. Senator Russ Feingold. My priorities reflect concerns I hear from voters in our community about our democracy and right to vote; our schools, environment, and other basic rights like health care and abortion access, Internet access, and housing.
While UW-Madison is situated in Dane County, its role as an economic engine it benefits the entire state. UW-Madison also has unique needs that are different from the other Universities of Wisconsin. Please tell us how you would represent UW-Madison in the Legislature and encourage your colleagues from outside Dane County to understand the statewide benefit of a strong UW-Madison?
I have made this case countless times to my colleagues across the aisle. I recently toured a laboratory expansion at ThermoFisher in my Assembly district and they said they hire between 400 and 600 UW grads every year. That is a major global employer who could go anywhere investing here because we have the talent they are looking for. We can’t lose out on those opportunities for well-paying jobs. In this case, it is well-paying jobs that are working to save lives. I have always been available and met with UW’s leaders, faculty, staff, and advocates, alumni advocates, and students. I’ll continue to be available to them, and represent them with my full attention and support.
State funding for higher education has fallen dramatically over the past several decades, resulting in a dependence on tuition and fundraising to replace decreased state support. A ten-year long tuition freeze coupled with previous state budget cuts has forced UW-Madison to make serious cuts, while other UW System campuses face devastating budget shortfalls. How would you address these concerns if elected?
I support the Governor’s upcoming budget proposal to invest more than $800 in the Universities of Wisconsin, which will be the largest investment in higher ed in state history. UW-Madison and the UW System campuses should not have to do layoffs or consider shutting down. Not when we’re sitting on a $3 billion state budget surplus.
The current legislative majorities have worked to delegitimize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Legislators have forced the university to reclassify DEI positions and a legislative audit of UW DEI programs is underway. UW-Madison as an institution understands diversity to be a value that is inextricable from its other values, including educational and research excellence. Tell us about your legislative priorities on diversity, racial justice, and their relation to the values you hold related to higher education.
Republicans are kicking UW while it’s down to score political points—and they’re doing it on the backs of students, staff, and faculty who instead need an open hand, an equal chance at a higher education and employment, and an equitable share of the benefits our tax dollars provide to students and higher education workers.
I’ve talked to hundreds of UW employees at their doors in the 80th Assembly District, which is near UW-Madison. They resent being political pawns and having their raises used as leverage against DEI.
My wife teaches at UW Law School as part of her job as a public defender. And I have previously been a Lecturer teaching graduate level courses on public health policy at the Zilber School at UW-Milwaukee. The poor compensation and lack of resources available to both of us and to our students is stunning. We can attest that these world-class research institutions are a top driver of Wisconsin’s statewide economy. And all of the Universities of Wisconsin campuses are local and regional economic powerhouses that grow communities, help workers, and create pride in one’s community. They should not be political footballs. We must ensure that “The Wisconsin Idea” remains a Wisconsin institution.
Unfortunately, anything promoting DEI is DOA with Republicans in the Legislature. Their bullshit talking points and reprehensible appeasement of the elitist white supremacists who dismantled affirmative action and want to go further set us all back in deeply harmful ways that ripple through generations and echo the inhumanity of a past we should leave behind.
Ideally, new maps will force the Republicans in the Legislature to be more reasonable on this. Democrats and Governor Evers also need to identify and use what leverage we have in the next state budget.
Republicans purposefully withheld funding for building projects and raises at UW as leverage to kill DEI programming. The Board of Regents voted to accept their offer against the request of Legislative Democrats including me. The Governor should only appoint Regents who are 100% committed to restoring and maintaining DEI programs, continuing the great tradition of The Wisconsin Idea, and who are willing to stand up to political stunts.
Wisconsin ranks near the bottom of state funding for four-year post-secondary education, while state funding for two-year technical education is among the best in the country. How would you address this disparity in the Legislature?
As Wisconsin continues to evolve from an economy based in manufacturing and agriculture into more advanced technical and non-traditional workplaces, we need our already strong UW to remain strong. That starts with funding.
Students need more help affording the cost of classes, textbooks and classroom materials, and we should provide even more assistance with debt and expand the College Grants program that provides need-based financial aid, and expand Bucky’s Tuition Promise. I support the Governor’s upcoming proposed budget that invests heavily in UW. We must keep investing in UW.
Work on the 2025-27 state budget will begin shortly after legislators are sworn into office. What are your funding priorities?
We must protect our democracy, restore our rights, and invest in our communities. Republicans have been far too successful in attacking our democracy by questioning election results and degrading voters’ confidence in government institutions and public education. We must win back this narrative and advocate for pro-democracy policies like ballot drop boxes, automatic voter registration,
Too many of our rights—voting, collective bargaining, reproductive health choice, trans and LGBTQ+ rights, and our freedom to assemble free from fear of gun violence—have been taken away or eroded in recent years.
And we must make investments in our communities, including strong public K-12 schools and higher education. My mom was a public high school English teacher and I’ve known all my life the value of a good public education at every level. Our public schools are the bedrock of our communities.
Other needed investments include workforce housing, transit options, childcare, Medicaid expansion, and environmental protections.
I have spent the most time in the Assembly working on legislation to help working people. I introduced bills to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (AB471), expand the Homestead Credit (AB458), and create WISEARNS (a state-facilitated retirement savings program for workers whose employers don’t provide it). I will also work on a bill to create a state supplement to the federal Child Tax Credit (though that requires federal action first that has stalled in this session of Congress). This kind of targeted tax relief incentivizes work, makes work pay, and makes more work available. It helps families get by and plan for the future. And we have a state budget surplus that could easily fund these priorities and put more money in workers’ pockets. And while the following are both statewide issues, it’s especially essential for the 80th Assembly district (Verona, Far West Side and Southwest Corner of Madison, Middleton, and Cross Plains) that we provide more funding for starter housing and workforce housing, and the re-establishment of a Regional Transit Authority (RTA). State and local investments in housing and transit infrastructure create and sustain union jobs. And the communities of the 80th Assembly District struggle with both at a magnitude rarely matched across the state due to explosive population growth and density where getting from point A to point B is only possible on roads designed to support a few farms. Each priority requires respected public workers with rights and good compensation.
Each of those issues is a budget priority. We must make electoral gains with the new legislative maps and in Congress and the U.S. Senate to do these things. That takes work I’m deeply committed to doing.
PROFS has long advocated for paid family leave for all employees and is pleased that UW-Madison and the Universities of Wisconsin recently approved a modest six-week paid parental leave benefit. We believe this is just the first step and more needs to be done. Will you support initiatives like those offered by Governor Evers that would expand paid leave to state employees and create a paid leave insurance program for public and most private sector employees in the state?
Yes I have supported these expansions and will continue to do so. The time I was able to take off of my previous nonprofit job when both of my boys were born was some of the most fulfilling time of my life. We are far behind other advanced economies around the world in guaranteeing this benefit.
Nasra Wehelie
Nasra Wehelie’s responses:
What are your goals for your first/next term in office should you be elected?
As a current Alder on the Madison Common Council, UW alum (Go Badgers!), and a Democratic candidate running in the new Assembly District 80, I am deeply committed to serving our community. You can learn more on my website nasraforwi.com. My goals for the first term in office are focused on three key policy areas: attainable housing, women’s rights, and economic stability. I will advocate for equitable housing development, inclusionary zoning, and financial incentives to ensure everyone can access safe, stable, affordable homes. Supporting policies that enhance reproductive rights, healthcare access, and affordable childcare is crucial for advancing women’s rights. To boost economic stability, I will promote small business growth, job creation, and access to capital, with targeted support for minority and women-owned businesses. Additionally, I will advocate for legislation allowing municipalities to implement a local sales tax, ensuring the revised shared revenue formula addresses disparities and provides equitable funding to cities like Madison, which have unique needs and responsibilities. These priorities are vital for fostering a thriving, inclusive community that supports all its members.
Please describe your qualifications and what sets you apart from your fellow candidates.
My journey into politics has been driven by a passion for creating positive change and a belief in the power of effective leadership. Throughout my career, I have worked tirelessly to advocate for the issues most important to us. With more than 20 years of service in the community, nonprofit organizations, and local government, I have been guided by the belief that positive change starts at the community level. I have witnessed the power of empathy and collaboration and the impact we can make on our communities together.
What sets me apart is my commitment to addressing the diversity gap within our Wisconsin State Legislature, which does not reflect the diversity of Wisconsin’s population and the voices of minority communities. Only 30% of women serve in our Capitol, and Wisconsin continues to rank as the worst state in America for black residents. We can make significant steps forward by supporting diverse candidates who will analyze legislation with a critical lens. I am dedicated to working for all Wisconsinites, ensuring that every voice is heard and represented.
While UW-Madison is situated in Dane County, its role as an economic engine it benefits the entire state. UW-Madison also has unique needs that are different from the other Universities of Wisconsin. Please tell us how you would represent UW-Madison in the Legislature and encourage your colleagues from outside Dane County to understand the statewide benefit of a strong UW-Madison?
As a UW alum, I am committed to ensuring that UW-Madison remains a world-class institution. It contributes significantly to the state’s economy, generating over $15 billion annually and supporting more than 193,000 jobs statewide. Highlighting these economic contributions, I will showcase the university’s role in driving innovation, attracting businesses, and fostering a skilled workforce. Promoting collaboration between UW-Madison and other universities, industries, and communities across the state will be a priority.
Advocating for infrastructure improvements will also be crucial to maintaining UW-Madison’s status as a leading institution, ensuring that facilities and resources meet the needs of students, faculty, and researchers. For instance, the university receives over $1.2 billion in research funding annually, making it a key player in national and global innovation. I will engage with legislators from outside Dane County to help them understand the statewide benefits of a strong UW-Madison, emphasizing the university’s role in fostering economic development and improving the quality of life for all Wisconsinites.
State funding for higher education has fallen dramatically over the past several decades, resulting in a dependence on tuition and fundraising to replace decreased state support. A ten-year long tuition freeze coupled with previous state budget cuts has forced UW-Madison to make serious cuts, while other UW System campuses face devastating budget shortfalls. How would you address these concerns if elected?
The significant decline in state funding for higher education—over 30% in the last two decades—has led to a reliance on tuition and fundraising. This issue is worsened by a decade-long tuition freeze and previous state budget cuts, forcing UW-Madison and other UW System campuses to make severe financial compromises. If elected, I will work to restore sustainable state funding and support the UW System to ensure it can continue to provide high-quality education and research opportunities.
Addressing these funding challenges requires a multifaceted approach: restoring state funding, revisiting tuition policies, expanding financial aid, fostering public-private partnerships, improving operational efficiency, and increasing public awareness about the importance of higher education funding.
As a UW alum, your representative, and a parent of four UW alumni, I am deeply committed to championing these initiatives!
The current legislative majorities have worked to delegitimize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Legislators have forced the university to reclassify DEI positions and a legislative audit of UW DEI programs is underway. UW-Madison as an institution understands diversity to be a value that is inextricable from its other values, including educational and research excellence. Tell us about your legislative priorities on diversity, racial justice, and their relation to the values you hold related to higher education.
My legislative priorities are grounded in the belief that diversity and racial justice are essential for a thriving educational system. We can create a more just and equitable UW System by promoting policies that expand access, enhance diversity among faculty and staff, develop inclusive curricula, support student success, and address systemic inequities. Ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable for all students, particularly those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, is paramount.
This commitment benefits individual students, supports the entire academic community, and prepares all students to contribute to a diverse and inclusive society. My experience serving on the Morgridge Center for Public Service board for over seven years involved promoting UW partnerships with community organizations to support students and ensure a smooth transition from high school to higher education. Programs like Badger Volunteers and community-based service learning and research exemplify the positive impact of such partnerships.
Wisconsin ranks near the bottom of state funding for four-year post-secondary education, while state funding for two-year technical education is among the best in the country. How would you address this disparity in the Legislature?
Addressing the disparity in state funding for Wisconsin’s four-year and two-year post-secondary education requires a balanced approach that ensures equitable support for both pathways. By rebalancing state funding, promoting collaboration, expanding financial aid, improving operational efficiency, and increasing public awareness, we can create a more just and effective higher education system that benefits all students and supports the state’s economic growth.
As your representative, I am committed to championing these initiatives to ensure that both four-year universities and two-year technical colleges receive the support they need to thrive, and I will encourage joint initiatives and collaborative programs that leverage the strengths of both types of institutions, such as shared research projects and workforce development programs.
Work on the 2025-27 state budget will begin shortly after legislators are sworn into office. What are your funding priorities?
My funding priorities will focus on education, housing, economic stability, and sustainability.
I will advocate for higher per-pupil funding, increased teacher salaries, and additional resources for special education programs. Expanding state-funded financial aid programs will make higher education more accessible.
Addressing the housing crisis is also paramount. Currently, 1 in 7 Wisconsin renters spend more than 50% of their income on housing. Increasing funding for rental assistance, affordable housing development, and homelessness prevention is essential. Supporting first-time homebuyers with grants and loans will help more residents achieve homeownership.
For economic stability, investing in job training and workforce development programs, supporting small businesses with grants and incentives, and funding critical infrastructure projects will foster economic growth and job creation.
My fourth funding priority will be promoting sustainable initiatives in Wisconsin. Our state has lost 50% of its wetlands, which are crucial for water purification and flood control. Protecting natural resources and investing in renewable energy projects will ensure a healthier environment for future generations!
PROFS has long advocated for paid family leave for all employees and is pleased that UW-Madison and the Universities of Wisconsin recently approved a modest six-week paid parental leave benefit. We believe this is just the first step and more needs to be done. Will you support initiatives like those offered by Governor Evers that would expand paid leave to state employees and create a paid leave insurance program for public and most private sector employees in the state?
Yes! I fully support paid leave initiatives for state employees and the creation of a paid leave insurance program for both public and private sector employees. Paid family leave is essential for families’ well-being and our workforce’s overall health. It allows parents to bond with their newborns, supports workers caring for sick family members, and reduces financial stress during critical times.
Expanding paid leave will also help retain talented employees, reduce turnover costs, and increase productivity by ensuring employees are not forced to choose between their job and their family’s needs. Many studies have shown that paid family leave can reduce employee turnover by up to 50%(!!), saving businesses money in recruitment and training costs. In states where paid leave policies have been implemented, there has been a positive impact on employee morale and economic stability. I look forward to spearheading such legislation if elected!
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