Madison, Wisconsin: University Archives and Records Management Services
Summary
In this 1987 interview, Anthony Earl, State Assemblyman and Governor, discusses his background and reasons for coming to Wisconsin with interviewer Laura Smail. Earl talks about his career and his election to the legislature. Laura asks about the work that went into the Merger bill and UW's failure to mount opposition to it and Earl explains his understanding of the reasons the bill passed. Earl talks about changes in the legislature and the University System's approach to lobbying. He shares anecdotes including one about the aborted plans for the 1987-89 biennial budget. Earl talks about current prospects for UW and considerations in preparation of first biennial budget. He talks about the issues that arose with the Star fund and faculty reactions to salary freeze which lead to the creation of the Faculty Compensation Review Committee. Two differentials were proposed by the committee and Earl explains the importance of those differentials. Earl explains the catch-up dispute and its consequences, along with the interpersonal relationship issues that arose. He talks about the academic staff issue which leads into the TA collective bargaining bill and his belief that everyone should be able to organize and bargain. The interview ends with talking about his contacts on the Madison campus and his regent appointments.