Welcome to the Universities of Wisconsin Government Relations Newsletter. The Office of Government Relations provides legislative and political updates that impact the Universities of Wisconsin at the state and federal level.
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State Relations
State Building Commission
The State Building Commission met last Tuesday and approved many UW related projects including 4 major projects that were enumerated in the 2025-27 biennial budget:
- UW-La Crosse Prairie Springs Science Center
- UW-Milwaukee Health Sciences Renovation
- UW-Stevens Point Sentry Hall Addition and Modernization
- UW-Stout Recreation Complex Addition and Renovation
You can view the meeting minutes here once available.
Assembly Committee on Education
Last week, the Assembly Committee on Education held a public hearing on AB 582, relating to: Dual enrollment programs, creating the Council on Dual Enrollment, and transfer of postsecondary course credits. The Universities of Wisconsin testified for information only and you can view our written testimony below.
Please check back for future updates.
Federal Relations
Government Funding Updates
At present, conversations surrounding government funding remain stalled.
The Senate is scheduled to be in session this week where additional votes are anticipated; the House of Representatives remains in a recess period wherein members can be called back to DC for votes if events warrant.
As Congress continues to work toward a funding solution, updates will be shared as appropriate.
Final Rule on Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Last week, the Department of Education released the Final Rule on Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
At the time of the rule’s publication, Under Secretary of Education, Nicholas Kent said, “Taxpayer funds should never directly or indirectly subsidize illegal activity. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was meant to support Americans who dedicate their careers to public service – not to subsidize organizations that violate the law, whether by harboring illegal immigrants or performing prohibited medical procedures that attempt to transition children away from their biological sex. With this new rule, the Trump Administration is refocusing the PSLF program to ensure federal benefits go to our Nation’s teachers, first responders, and civil servants who tirelessly serve their communities.”
As noted in the linked release, “The final rule is on public inspection in the Federal Register today and will be published on October 31, 2025. A fact sheet on the final rule can be found here.”
Senate HELP Committee Hearing
On November 6, beginning at 9:00AM Central Time, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Reforming Financial Transparency in Higher Education.”
Announced witnesses include:
- Justin Draeger, MBA, Senior Vice President for Affordability, Strada Education Foundation
- Brenda Hicks, MA, Director of Financial Aid, Southwestern College
- Preston Cooper, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
- Onjila Odeneal, M.Ed., Chief Executive Officer, Detroit Promise
- Mark Huelsman, M.Ed., Director of Policy and Advocacy. The HOPE Center for Student Basic Needs
If interested, you can watch live on the Committee website.
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
When the House of Representatives and Senate return to Washington, a full list of votes will be found on the respective websites for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Note: Links to external sites are provided for informational purposes and not meant to convey an endorsement of the Universities of Wisconsin.