Wisconsin Senate panel votes to fire regents who voted against limiting UW diversity initiatives

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state Senate committee is recommending the full chamber fire two Universities of Wisconsin regents who voted against a deal that called for limiting campus diversity positions in exchange for state funding.

The Republican-controlled Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue voted 5-3 along party lines Thursday to recommend the full body refuse to confirm regents Dana Wachs and John Miller. They voted against the deal twice last December. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointed both of them.

The Senate is expected to convene Tuesday for what will likely be its last floor period before the two-year legislative session ends. Asked if appointee confirmations will come up, Brian Radday, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, said only that the agenda won’t be finalized until Monday.

Wachs, an Eau Claire attorney who served three terms in the state Assembly and briefly considered a run for governor in 2018, said in a telephone interview Friday that he was disappointed with the committee’s vote and may consider running for Assembly again this fall to help restore civility to state politics.

“This (rejection) may be an example of partisan politics off the rails,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed very much my experience on the Board of Regents. We’ll see what happens later this week. I hope to stay on (the board).”

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