Wisconsin GOP Targets UW System with Budget Cuts and Political Pressure

MADISON, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – The latest controversial move by Wisconsin’s Republican legislative leaders is getting a lot of attention this week. Todd Allbaugh, host of The Todd Allbaugh Show, was first to reveal not just a planned rejection of Governor Tony Evers’ request for additional University of Wisconsin (UW) System funding, but the additional push to propose cuts to higher education funding across the state.

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See Todd’s post revealing the possible cuts here:

Turns out shining light makes a difference! After we helped break news last night of the GOP legislature’s intent to gut $87M from @UWSystem, it appears they may be reversing course – for now. Join us 2-4 pm CT today to discuss. https://t.co/LW2ltcz95P

— Todd Allbaugh (@toddallbaugh) June 17, 2025

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In a follow-up conversation with Pat Kreitlow, host of Mornings with Pat Kreitlow, Allbaugh argues Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and his GOP colleagues have deliberately positioned the UW System as a political villain. 

“Robin Vos wants to micromanage the UW campuses, effectively creating a conservative thought police,” Allbaugh explains. “It’s more about performative politics than actual policy.”

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Watch the entire follow-up conversation starting at 1:52:10 here:

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The conversation highlights the paradox of Vos’ stance. As the first-ever student regent appointed by former Governor Tommy Thompson, Vos has deep ties to the university system he now seeks to undercut. 

“He’s been in leadership for 14 years. If he truly wanted to address issues in the UW System, he’s had ample time to do so,” Kreitlow says.

Allbaugh traces the GOP strategy back to former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen. He says Jensen once told his caucus that every successful political campaign needs a hero and a villain. 

“Republicans have chosen higher education as their villain to energize their MAGA base,” Allbaugh explains, noting this tactic echoes authoritarian tendencies reminiscent of George Orwell’s “1984”.

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Listen here as Todd Allbaugh first discusses the push for proposing cuts to higher education funding across the state:

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The hosts discuss how this push against the UW System aligns with broader conservative efforts to erase or diminish Black history, Native American history, LGBTQ+ rights, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. 

“It’s about creating a monolithic narrative to please the base,” Kreitlow says.

Kreitlow and Allbaugh also emphasize, despite the political attacks, the UW campuses remain diverse, welcoming, and home to a broad spectrum of political views – including conservatives. One listener, Alicia, points out in a message to the show: “I was a Tea Party student on the UW campus back in the day and I felt more than welcome. Vos is full of poop.”

And while political leaders continue to use higher education as a pawn in their culture wars, voices like Allbaugh help shed light on what’s really happening. Both he and Kreitlow will keep you updated on what’s at stake for the future of Wisconsin’s public universities.