The left is going to be crazy about this.

Scott Bauer of the Star Tribune reports.

Panel votes to cut University of Wisconsin budget by $250 million, eliminate tenure

The Legislature’s budget-writing committee voted Friday to cut the University of Wisconsin’s budget by $250 million and eliminate tenure protections for faculty from state law — moves derided by Democrats who argued the changes would hurt both higher education and the state’s economy.

The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee, on a party line vote, also approved continuing a tuition freeze for two more years and rejected Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to give UW more independence from state laws and oversight.

Instead, more limited flexibilities would be given to UW to save money on purchasing and the university would be exempt from state rules on building projects funded entirely through gifts or grants. Republicans expressed remorse about the cut, but said the flexibilities would help UW deal with it. The cut was $50 million less than Walker proposed.

“The university doesn’t deserve this cut,” said Sen. Luther Olsen, a Republican from Ripon. “This is just reality.”

The provisions were added to the state budget, which the committee is likely to complete next week. From there, it heads to the Senate and Assembly, both controlled by Republicans, where it could be changed before it’s voted on next month. Walker can then make extensive changes through his broad veto power.