As incoming speaker of the state Assembly, Mike Huesbcsh, R-West Salem, announced the new committee chairs for the upcoming 2007-'08 legislative session Tuesday, two state lawmakers butted heads over the new head of the College committee chair.
State Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, was selected to head the College and University committee, drawing criticism from a current committee member, state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison.
Black said Nass has been a critic of the UW system and that the selection of Nass to head the committee was extremely disappointing.""
""During the last legislative session, Rep. Nass appeared to look for every possible opportunity to attack our University,"" Black said in a statement. ""His barrage of criticism went beyond vigorous legislative oversight of the university by the Legislature and crossed into the realm of harmful disparagement.""
In a statement Nass said Black's remarks were ""humorous.""
""I pledge to Rep. Black that if he will end his war on taxpayers, I will hug a UW administrator before every committee meeting.""
Nass said he was not surprised legislators that would like him ""to shut up on the scandals that have gone on at the university."" He cited the UW hiring felons and $26 million computer plan that never worked as major problems facing the committee.
""As an elected official it's my duty to look into these types of scandals when people ask me to do that. I cannot turn my back on them. I would point out that the information I get that leads me to these scandals are coming from people inside of the university,"" he said.
Both Black and Nass are unsure if they will be on the same committee during the next session, as the appointments for members on each committee will be announced later this month.
Black said he would focus on getting more funding for the university, financial aid and unfettered funds for scientific research at colleges in areas such as stem cells.
Black, however, said he has asked the Democratic leaders in the Assembly to serve on committee again.
