First lady Tonnette Walker addresses a joint session of the Legislature during Gov. Scott Walker's state of state speech in the Assembly chambers at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
The Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut tuition at the University of Wisconsin and use taxpayer funds to pay for it is shaking up normal political alliances with some Democrats supporting it while skeptical fellow Republicans worry it could put the state on a path toward socialist Bernie Sanders' free college tuition plan.
Republican governors across the nation have criticized universities over higher tuition and some, including Walker, have forced tuition freezes. But Walker appears to be the first Republican governor to promise taxpayer money to reduce the cost of university.
Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos fears it's a step toward the state paying for free tuition.
Peter Barca, the Democratic Assembly leader and frequent Walker critic, says he supports the proposal as long as it is paid for.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addresses a joint session of the Legislature in the Assembly chambers during the Governor's state of the state speech at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Madison, Wis. Behind Walker is Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Tyler August, left, R-Lake Geneva, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, and Senate President Roger Roth, R-Appleton. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 20, 2016 file photo, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Walker delivers his seventh State of the State speech on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, standing before the largest Republican legislative majorities in decades, don't be surprised if he busts out a pair of sunglasses. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The Associated Press