Balanced News: Wisconsin Republican leader blocks university employee pay raises unless college cuts diversity programs

The Republican speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, Robin Vos, is blocking pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees unless the university cuts diversity, equity, and inclusion spending by $32 million. This move is part of a broader cultural battle over college diversity initiatives across the nation. In June, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature cut funding to the UW System by $32 million, which was the amount identified as going toward DEI efforts. The university plans to make a case next month to get back $15 million of the funding that was cut. Democratic Governor Tony Evers is pushing for more funding for UW.