University of Wisconsin–Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin has released the following statement about the state budget repair bill under consideration in the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance:

“Given the impact of the budget repair bill on state and university employees, I urge members of the Joint Committee on Finance, in the strongest possible terms, to delay executive action on the bill until there has been an opportunity for negotiations.

“Before curtailing collective bargaining rights that have been in place for years, I am asking legislators to step back and make a sincere effort to develop more creative solutions.

“Even a situation that requires immediate attention should still make time for substantive and deliberative exchange.

“In his inaugural address in 1861, Abraham Lincoln said ‘Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.’ For the benefit of state employees at all levels, I’m asking for lawmakers to take that time.”