Tuition increases at the state’s three regent universities have sparked tension among some members of the Iowa Legislature and the state Board of Regents.

Iowa Speaker of the House Brent Siegrist is speaking out on remarks made by Board of Regent member David Neil about the fuel behind the board’s pending tuition increase.

Regent members say legislative cuts to the regent universities’ budget last spring were a precursor to this fall’s tuition increase debate.

State legislators say tuition is increased by the hands of regent members.

Siegrist, R-Council Bluffs, is accusing board members of not coming to him with concerns.

“[Neil] never called at anytime to express his concerns,” Siegrist said. “I initiated some talk with other regents, but they never came to me.”

Although he would have listened to the regents’ concerns, Siegrist said he admits it would have done little to save them from a significant budget cut.

Siegrist said he knew the regents had concerns about the universities’ budgets because of the reports he received from legislators who have state universities in their districts, he said.

Since the Board of Regents released the preliminary tuition increase numbers for the 2002-2003 school year, the media has been jumping on the opportunity to know the facts about the increase.

But Siegrist said the board’s facts are partisan.

“[Neil] blamed budget reductions at the three state supported universities on tax cuts for special interests,” Siegrist said

In a press release, Siegrist said it is counterproductive for a member of the board to engage in “partisan sniping via the media.”

Neil, a regent from La Porte City, said he has the right and the responsibility to speak out to the media so Iowans know what the board is doing.

“Unfortunately, I find it hard to understand why he said I can’t speak out on it,” he said. “I am a regent for all of Iowa. If I feel I need to speak out, I will.”

Iowans need to know where their money is going and what kind of deal they are getting, Neil said.

Amir Arbisser, Board of Regent member from Davenport, said he doesn’t feel tuition increases are a partisan issue.

“We have to work together to solve [budget problems] and protect education in the state,” he said.

“I don’t think I am at odds with legislators. I am an advocate for education.”

State revenue has increased by only 4.2 percent, Neil said, “and [Republicans] are still giving a tax cut.”

It was a difficult budget year, and the economy hasn’t been bouncing back as quickly as the legislators would like,

Siegrist said. It will be a tough budget year this upcoming legislative session, he said.

But this year hasn’t sacrificed the quality of higher education, Siegrist said.

If the budget crunch persists over the next five years, there could be a problem, he said.

“We still have accessible education in this state,” Siegrist said. “I hope there is only one or two budget years like this – we must guard against diminishing quality.”

In Iowa, Board of Regent members are appointed. The governor first recommends a person for the board and legislators approve or deny that recommendation, Arbisser said.

Before regents are approved, legislators have a chance to interview potential board members, Arbisser said.

“[Regents] want to remain a little bit distant from any single constituent,” Arbisser said.

“I understand why legislators would want regents to be subject to the process.”