Wisconsin legislators responded Thursday to a border debate over tuition reciprocity between the Universities of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

On Wednesday, Minnesota lawmakers said they might enter into the dispute over a tuition reciprocity agreement that has Wisconsin students paying less to attend University of Minnesota schools than their in-state classmates.

According to The Associated Press, the Minnesota House higher education panel heard testimony on a proposal to raise Wisconsin students' tuition rates to Minnesota levels by fall 2008. Under the current reciprocity agreement, a Wisconsin student pays $2,000 a year less to attend a Minnesota state school than a Minnesota student does to attend a Wisconsin university.

Wisconsin Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, said Wisconsin pays the state of Minnesota $5 million for reciprocity, which Black said "seems more than adequate."

Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for Wisconsin Rep. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater said the problem is the money Wisconsin gives Minnesota goes into the state's general fund rather than the university. Nass chairs the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.

According to Black, the current situation is quite fair and the dispute in Minnesota is really between the university and the state government. He added the only reason tuition is cheaper in Wisconsin is because taxpayers help subsidize it.

"Minnesota legislators should get involved over the argument of whether the money [from Wisconsin] goes to the university rather than the state government," he added.

Wisconsin Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, said there are many legislators who do not know why Minnesota is complaining because they are getting a pretty good deal.

"They seem to want a better deal," Suder said. "I doubt they will be successful in their efforts."

In an interview with the Associated Press Wednesday, Minnesota state Rep. Tom Huntley said he's seeking fairness for students from his home state..

"I'm just trying to have two kids sitting next to each other on the Twin Cities campus paying the same tuition," Huntley said.

Suder said Minnesota legislators who are trying to make this a fight are running the risk of losing the entire reciprocity deal.

"They might want to consider getting a (good) football team before changing the deal," Suder said.

Black shared a similar sentiment, saying there is no reason for Wisconsin to act, but also said if legislators in Minnesota take action, Wisconsin's legislators will be forced to take a look at the issue.

Suder said he knows many lawmakers within Wisconsin who believe there needs to be a change in Wisconsin's favor, but added both states need to figure this issue out.

"There is a risk that if the Minnesota legislators are going to force a hand, we will have to pay more," Mikalsen said. "If Wisconsin will not pay more, then this agreement could end."

With newly elected lawmakers in both state's legislatures, Suder said it is the first time he had ever seen legislative action on the policy, rather than just within the educational system.

"Discussion is a good thing," Suder said. "Legislative action is not the best route. … It is both immature and unwise, and places the deal at risk."