January 13, 2006
BARRY ALVAREZ TO BE HONORED BY LEGISLATURE
When the legislative session resumes Tuesday, January 17, their first order of business will be to honor Barry Alvarez for his 16 years of service to the University of Wisconsin-Madison as head football coach. Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 56 and Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) has introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 72 honoring Coach Alvarez’s success. Barry is scheduled to address the Senate at 10 am and the Assembly at 11 am with a reception to follow.
A copy of the resolutions are available at:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AJR-72.pdf
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SJR-56.pdf
GOVERNOR SET TO DELIEVER STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
Governor Doyle is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the State speech Tuesday, January 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the chamber of the State Assembly. Chancellor John Wiley will be one of the Governor’s special guests. The speech is available on Wisconsin Public Radio and Television. A live internet audio stream will also be available at:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/insession/assembly/index.htm
SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING
The Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee has scheduled a public hearing on January 18 at 11:00 a.m. in room 300 Southwest of the state capitol The bills set to have a public hearing include Senate Bill 452, authored by Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) which would allow for collective bargaining for UW System faculty and academic staff.
Another bill that will be heard is Assembly Bill 387, authored by Representative Jean Hundertmark (R-Clinton), which extends the eligibility of a person enrolled in a program that confers a master’s degree in nursing for a loan under the Nursing Student Loan Program.
The committee is also scheduled to receive testimony on Senate Bill 481, authored by Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls). SB 481 is identical to Assembly Bill 895 authored by Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), which would increase the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) maximum from $2,500 to $3,000 annually. President Reilly recently testified in support of AB 895 before the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee. President Reilly’s testimony is available at: http://www.uwsa.edu/president/speeches/2005/s051213.htm
SENATE TO CONSIDER CONCEALED WEAPONS BILL
The Senate is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 403 which authorizing the carrying of concealed weapons, Tuesday, January 17. The Assembly amended the bill to expand the area around schools where guns are not permitted; requires recertification of permit holders; and makes it a felony to lie on applications. The Senate is expected to accept the Assembly’s change to the bill and forward their action to the Governor where a veto is expected.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COULD HUNT AND FISH UNDER A BILL SET FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Jan. 18 at 10:00 a.m. in room 415 Northwest on Assembly Bill 905, authored by Representative Mary Hubler (D-Rice Lake) which adds eligibility for fish and hunting resident licenses to citizens of a foreign country temporarily residing in the state while attending a high school, technical college, or an agricultural short course at the University of Wisconsin System.
NEWCOMER ELECTED TO FILL VACANT ASSEMBLY SEAT
On Tuesday, Scott Newcomer (R-Delafield) was elected to fill the term of former Rep. Dan Vrakas who was elected Waukesha County Executive last November. Newcomer will be up for re-election for a full 2-year term in November.
For the complete text of all bills and their current status, please visit
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/ab_list.html (Assembly bills) or http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/sb_list.html (Senate bills).
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967