Budget saga to conclude Friday at Memorial Union

By: Emily Crawford / The Daily Cardinal - October 25, 2007

As UW System funding was a central item of dispute among lawmakers during the nearly four-month budget impasse, it seems only fitting Gov. Jim Doyle will finally sign the budget on campus Friday.

Gov. Jim Doyle will sign the 2007-’09 state Budget into law Friday morning at Memorial Union, according to a statement released Wednesday.

UW System spokesperson David Giroux said he was happy the governor was coming to campus and hoped other legislative leaders would be able to participate in the event.

“[Doyle’s] budget originally provided signed support for the university,” Giroux said. “We believe it’s only appropriate that he sign the budget on a campus.”

Chancellor John Wiley said he applauds the hard work of Doyle and lawmakers in their ability to compromise to fund higher education.

“This budget contains major victories for the university in student financial aid, faculty retention and the capital budget,” Wiley said in a statement.

Carla Vigue, spokesperson for Doyle, said the budget would likely remain intact, though a few line item vetoes may have already occurred. She did not name any specific vetoes.

Vigue said one of Doyle’s major priorities since the budget was introduced has been education. Issues such as the UW Growth Agenda, better access to financial aid and securing free tuition for veterans have been issues for which Doyle has advocated, according to Vigue.

The budget is set to be signed at 9 a.m. Friday.


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