Wisconsin’s Budget Process

Wisconsin’s budget is a biennial (two-year) budget that starts July 1 of each odd numbered year and concludes on June 30 of the next odd numbered year. The next biennial budget will start July 1, 2027, and end June 30, 2029.

The process to create a biennial budget goes through several stages of deliberation among the executive and legislative branches of state government before enactment.

The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents is required to submit a budget request to the Department of Administration (DOA) by September 15 of each even-numbered year. The UW President provides the Regents, for their consideration, a recommended submission at the August meeting in the same even-numbered year.

Budget Timeline

EVEN NUMBERED YEAR
Spring/Summer Universities of Wisconsin (UWs) and other state agencies prepare budget request proposals.
August Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents (BOR) reviews and approves budget request.
September 15 Universities of Wisconsin submits approved budget request to the Department of Administration (DOA).
November Universities of Wisconsin submits approved budget request to the Department of Administration (DOA).
ODD NUMBERED YEAR
January/February Governor introduces budget proposal. (Governor is required to provide on or before the last Tuesday in January. The date can be extended if agreed to by the Governor and both houses of the legislature)
February Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee starts review of Governor’s budget proposal, including state agency budget briefings.
March Governor releases capital budget. State Building Commission meets to provide recommendations to the Joint Finance Committee on capital budget.
April - May Joint Finance Committee modifies Governor’s budget and capital budget.
June Assembly and Senate act on budget.
July Governor signs budgets; issues vetoes.
Timeline showing key milestones in Wisconsin's biennial state budget process from August through July

Questions

Direct questions regarding the Universities of Wisconsin Biennial Budget Requests to uwbudget@wisconsin.edu

Email Questions