The Weekly Update

Board of Regents 

The Board of Regents for the Universities of Wisconsin will meet in person at UW-Madison this Thursday and Friday, August 20-21. 

The 2027-29 Universities of Wisconsin Biennial Operating Budget request will be considered during the Business & Finance Committee (10-30am – 12pm) and again during the full Board of Regents meeting (starting at 1pm).  

Within the UWs budget request are 3 promises to Wisconsin: 

• Promise #1: Every Wisconsinite will have access to an affordable, high-quality UW education. 

• Promise #2: Build Wisconsin’s workforce and next generation of businesses. 

• Promise #3: Advance life-saving discoveries and improve access to health care across Wisconsin. 

In addition to our operating budget request, the 2027-29 Biennial Capital Budget Request and 2027-33 Six-Year Capital Plan will be considered during the Capital Budget and Planning Committee (9am-10:15am) and again during the full Board of Regents meeting (starting at 1pm). 

You can find the meeting materials and videoconference information here.  

After the meeting, a news summary of board actions can be found here. 

State Building Commission 

Last week, the State Building Commission met at State Fair Park in West Allis, WI, and all UW items were unanimously approved.  

A summary of the meeting can be found here once available.  

2026 Wisconsin August Primary Election 

Last week, Wisconsin’s partisan primary election took place on Tuesday, August 11. The Wisconsin Elections Commission is expected to certify the results by August 25, 2026. The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3.   

Senate Committee on Health 

On Tuesday, August 18, at 11am, the Senate Committee on Health will hold an informational hearing on the topic of graduate nursing student clinical placements. Individuals from UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Milwaukee were invited to testify. 

You can watch the hearing live on WisconsinEye. 

Government Funding Update  

In advance of the August Recess, the Senate advanced a continuing resolution, which among several provisions would fund the government through December 11 and delay implementation of the regulation for federal financial assistance.   

Similarly, the House of Representatives advanced H.R.9770, which among several provisions looks to make continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027 in advance of the Chamber's August Recess. The bill was agreed to via a vote of 220-205.   

When each chamber returns, differences between the bills will need to be reconciled to fund the government past the end of the federal fiscal year.  

GAO Report on College Athletics  

On August 5, the House Committee on Education and Workforce released a GAO Report on college athletics.  

At the time of the release, Chairman Walberg said, "Last year, I asked the GAO to examine whether runaway spending on college athletics was driving up costs for students and taxpayers. Today's report confirms that concern. At a time when tuition continues to rise and millions of borrowers are struggling with student loan debt, colleges should be investing in student success—not asking students and taxpayers to subsidize an athletic spending arms race.  
   
"Students enroll to earn a degree, not to bankroll excessive athletic spending. This report reinforces why Congress must continue holding colleges accountable for how they spend tuition dollars and federal student aid. Institutions should focus on delivering value to students—not passing the costs of excessive athletics spending on to students, families, and taxpayers."  

For more information, you can review the linked release above.  

GAO Report on Student Loan Servicers   

On August 6, the House Committee on Education and Workforce and Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee released a GAO report on student loan servicers. At the time of the release, the Committee Chairman released the following statements.  

“The Biden-Harris administration prioritized unlawful student loan bailouts over the basic responsibility of administering the federal student loan program. By diverting critical staff and resources, Biden-Harris threw borrowers and servicers into total chaos. Students and taxpayers deserve a system that is transparent, accountable, and functions—not one plagued by mismanagement and confusion. We applaud the Trump administration’s efforts to restore coordination with servicers and restore accountability to the federal student loan program,” said Chairman Walberg.  
   
“Instead of fulfilling their duties as Congress intended, the Biden-Harris administration dramatically increased the scope of its student loan program and misled borrowers into thinking their debt would be cancelled,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans are helping students get out of the cycle of debt Democrats put them in. We must continue to work with the Trump administration to strengthen accountability to our loan program so students have the best chance to succeed.”    

For more information, you can review the linked release above.  

House Select Committee on the CCP and House Education and Workforce Committee  

The House Select Committee on the CCP and House Education and Workforce Committee released an investigation titled, " Compromised Independence: CCP Influence at Harvard University."  

If interested in reading more, you can review the House Committee on Education and Workforce press release and the Select Committee on the CCP press release.  

Full House and Senate Hearing Schedule  

If interested, you can see a full list of upcoming hearings on the Senate Hearings & Meetings Page. A review of the committee hearings in the House of Representatives is available via the Committee Schedule  within the House of Representatives Legislative Activity section on the Chamber’s main page.    

House and Senate Floor Schedules  

The House of Representatives and Senate remain in their scheduled August Recess periods. The House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Washington the week of August 31, and the Senate is set to return to Washington the week of September 14.