Former UW System Senior Vice President David J. Ward addressed the committee about national and state economic trends. The committee will be holding more hearings and developing legislation aimed at stimulating Wisconsin's economy. Minnesota-Wisconsin Reciprocity Agreement Minnesota State Representative Opatz has proposed legislation to limit the negotiation powers of the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, the agency responsible for the tuition reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin. Currently, Minnesota pays other states, including Wisconsin, if more Minnesota students choose to study out of state. Minnesota would then offer Wisconsin residents in-state tuition, which is generally higher than Wisconsin.
More students choose to leave Minnesota than to enter.
The bill would eliminate this payment. Minnesotans are well represented in student populations at UW Stout, UW Eau Claire, and UW River Falls. An administrative memorandum has been filed with the Joint Finance Committee to request that concerns or requests for a committee hearing to be filed by April 3. Senior Audit for College Credit Representatives Kreibich and Huebsch have drafted a bill that would allow Wisconsin residents ages 60 and older to take one course a semester for college credit free of charge at a UW institution or a technical college. 60 and over are permitted to audit courses free of charge if there is room in the class and the instructor gives his or her approval, but do not receive credit.