Panel votes to cut University of Wisconsin budget by $250 million, eliminate tenure - SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press

The Legislature's budget-writing committee voted Friday to cut the University of Wisconsin's budget by $250 million and eliminate tenure protections for faculty from state law — moves derided by Democrats who argued the changes would hurt both higher education and the state's economy. The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee, on a party line vote, also approved continuing a tuition freeze for two more years and rejected Gov. Scott Walker's plan to give UW more independence from state laws and oversight. Instead, more limited flexibilities would be given to UW to save money on purchasing and the university would be exempt from state rules on building projects funded entirely through gifts or grants. The proposal would remove tenure protections from law, leaving it to the UW Board of Regents to restore. The board, whose members are appointed by Walker, could also fire any staff or tenured faculty member. http://www.startribune.com/uw-budget-cut-tuition-freeze-up-for-vote/305434511/