UW System's Ray Cross talks politics, innovation, need for business backing - Mark Kass, Milwaukee Business Journal

University of Wisconsin System president Ray Cross talked politics, innovation and the need for business support for the college system at the Milwaukee Business Journal's Power Breakfast Friday. The UW System was targeted for more than $300 million in budget cuts in the most recent state budget that was approved in June. UW executives were able to convince legislators to reduce the cuts to $200 million, but it still forced colleges throughout the system to make deep cuts. Cross did tell the crowd of more than 250 business executives that the lobbying and educating that UW officials did with state legislators has helped, but he still expects a flat budget at best when lawmakers propose the next state budget. "I'm not overly optimistic," Cross said. "I'm a realist about the future." http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2015/09/uw-systems-ray-cross-talks-politics-innovation.html