Wisconsin Representative Nass hopes to cap UW tuition hikes at 4 percent

Todd Finkelmeyer

Rep. Steve Nass plans to introduce legislation in the coming year which would cap the amount tuition and most mandatory fees can be raised for those attending the state's public colleges and universities.

Nass on Tuesday was named chairman of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee for the 2011-12 legislative session.

This proposal by the Republican from the Town of La Grange could put UW System officials in a tight bind. In addition, the tuition cap idea isn't the only topic that came up in Campus Connection's wide-ranging phone conversation with Nass spokesman Mike Mikalsen that will likely ruffle the feathers of those with ties to higher education in the state.

Mikalsen also addressed: the famously poor relationship between Nass and UW System officials; "education" versus "indoctrination"; the potential for a "smart furlough" plan; and what the state's massive budget hole might mean for universities in the state.

"The real rubber is going to meet the road when it comes to budget issues," says Mikalsen. "If the UW System covers the table with ideas, it's going to be very helpful. If they come to the table saying, 'We're the economic engine for the state and you need to give us more money,' then it's going to be a difficult time in the next two years."

Perhaps most notably, Mikalsen says Nass plans to push for a measure which would cap -- likely at 4 percent -- the amount tuition and most fees could be raised at UW System schools.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at November 30, 2010 1:40 AM
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