Welcome to the UW System Government Relations Newsletter. The UW System Office of Government Relations provides legislative and political updates that impact the University of Wisconsin System at the state and federal level.
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State Relations
special board of regents meeting
The Board of Regents will have a special meeting at 8am on Wednesday, June 26. Meeting materials and videoconference information can be viewed at this link.
Federal Relations
the pell grant preservation and expansion act
Last week, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), introduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024.
Among other provisions, this legislation makes efforts to expand the Pell Grant maximum award. If interested, you can access the press release on the legislation here, the full bill text here, and the fact sheet here.
As quoted in the release, Representative Pocan said the following at the time of introduction, “No one should be denied a chance at a higher education if they are smart and capable enough but are unable to afford it. As a recipient of the Pell Grant myself, I know just how instrumental of a tool it is to make college accessible for all. Unfortunately, skyrocketing tuition costs and perpetual underfunding continue to undermine this critical program. The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act would not only double the maximum Pell Grant, it would protect the program from future cuts, expand eligibility to include DREAMers, and ensure that postsecondary education is attainable for every student—regardless of their socioeconomic status.”
education and the workforce committee hearing
On June 26th at 9:15AM Central Time, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing titled, “Combatting Workplace Antisemitism in Postsecondary Education: Protecting Employees from Discrimination.” Witnesses will be announced in the coming days, but if interested, you can watch the hearing on the Committee’s YouTube page.
house appropriations subcommittee markup
On June 26th at 7:00AM Central Time, there will be a subcommittee markup of the FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Act. The bill will then need to be considered by the full committee before coming to the House floor later this summer. In the background of this, the Senate Appropriations Committee will also work to move legislation in an effort to be sure the government is funded at the end of the federal fiscal year.
If interested, you can watch the markup on the Committee website here. Bill text will be available in advance of the markup.
house and senate schedule
This week, the Senate is in a scheduled state work period; however, the House of Representatives is scheduled to be in DC and voting. As the schedule is released, you can see the expected votes on House of Representatives website.
Next week, both Chambers are scheduled to be in a district and state work period, but will return to DC the week of July 8.