State Democrats defended Chancellor Rebecca Blank Thursday after Republicans attacked her Wednesday for “playing politics” with her university.
The Joint Committee on Finance co-chairs, Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, accused Blank of opposing budget measures for political reasons, in a statement Wednesday.
Many rallied behind Blank, claiming her concerns about the budget cuts are an apolitical matter. Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, insists the criticism toward Blank is egregious.
“The reality is that the Republicans won’t accept anyone telling them the truth – that their policies have been destructive to our economy, our students and our communities,” Barca said in a statement.
Barca is not alone in condemning the accusations against Blank; state Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, who represents much of the campus area, also rushed to her defense.
“As co-chairs of the most powerful committee in Wisconsin state government, it is time to stop pointing fingers at chancellors, professors and our public schools,” Taylor said in a statement.
Elected officials will hold hearings about the budget, dissecting and scrutinizing the bill before its final passage in June.
