Gov. Walker insists he didn't know changes to UW mission statement were part of his budget proposal

WATERTOWN (WITI) -- Governor Scott Walker says proposed changes to the UW System's mission statement were simply "a drafting error." He is insisting he didn't know those changes were in his budget plan. This, as he's being hammered by Democrats over proposed cuts to the UW System.

Walker's budget proposal would cut $300 million from the UW System over two years. There was also concern Walker wanted to change the UW System's mission statement. The budget plan called for changing the mission statement, known as the "Wisconsin Idea" to meet the state's workforce needs -- striking language calling for the pursuit of knowledge, the search for truth and the betterment of society.

"I didn't know about it until (Wednesday) night," Governor Walker said Thursday.

Walker is insisting he didn't know the proposed alterations were even in his budget proposal, and that the mission statement's original language will remain intact.

"That was not something I ever discussed.  The only discussions I ever had related to the mission was potentially adding something about career and workforce development," Walker said.

Jason Rae, a member of the Democratic National Committee says the controversy reveals political motivations in Walker's policy proposals.

"Governor Walker's budget is really going to decimate the UW System and hurt the Wisconsin Idea that we've known for more than a century. The Wisconsin Idea is about more than just finding a job.  The Wisconsin Idea is core to who we are as people of this state.  It's about giving back to the people of this state. It's about research and intellectual development, and really growing who we are.   What we saw with Walker going after education is he's really trying to please the right wing of the party," Rae said.

Walker's budget plan could change if the spring tax collections show higher revenue than anticipated. Walker said he could envision a final budget in which the cuts are not as deep, public schools could get more money, and transportation projects don't rely as much on borrowing.

"All three of which we're willing to work with the Legislature on.  As I said, even two years ago, no budget introduced by a Legislature has ever been approved as presented," Walker said.

The budget will be debated by the Joint Finance Committee in the coming months, and then by the full Legislature in late spring or early summer.

Walker issued this statement on UW System reforms on Thursday:

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