Walker takes on higher education in Wisconsin

Four years ago, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker achieved a law taking union rights away from teachers and other public workers in his state. That made him a national figure and set up his expected run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Now, Walker wants to strip job protections and some decision-making authority from faculty at the University of Wisconsin.

He calls this “Act 10 for the university,” invoking the title of the union law that prompted a statewide election in 2012 to recall him. He won that vote.

Walker said his proposal would empower university leaders to be more like a business and nimble in how they govern.

Professors and their supporters say it’s an attack on academic freedom that could gain momentum in other states.