A state senator introduced legislation Tuesday to reduce spending on administrative costs by 10 percent at the University of Minnesota.

Sen. Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, introduced the bill as a step in restructuring the stateâÄôs higher education spending.

âÄúIn this time of economic slowdown, we are calling on all government organizations to practice fiscal restraint and implement reforms as we move Minnesota forward,âÄù Miller said in a press release.

The bill would trim the stateâÄôs spending on administrative costs for public higher education institutions, including the University and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, for the 2012-13 fiscal years.

Miller, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said the bill would âÄúprotect our students and the classroomâÄù by not allowing the schools to charge the administrative reduction back to students.

The bill is expected to receive its first hearing next week.