February 12, 2007
GOVERNOR TO REVEAL BUDGET TUESDAY
The Governor will address the Legislature Tuesday at 7 p.m. to formally introduce the 2007-09 biennial state budget. This will be Governor Doyle's third budget address where he will layout his two-year spending plan before the Legislature considers it. The budget address can be heard and seen at: http://www.wpt.org/hereandnow/sos07.cfm
The Legislature's budget writing Joint Committee on Finance is scheduled to officially begin consideration of the budget at a brief hearing on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in room 412 East of the State Capitol. The committees consideration of the budget begins with briefings by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau within a couple weeks before bringing the spending proposal in the road for a series of public hearings around the state. The committee is tentatively planning on having hearings in Green Bay, Rhinelander, Milwaukee, La Crosse, New Richmond and Oregon. Specific dates and locations have yet to be confirmed.
DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS TO BE PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR
Over the weekend, the Governor announced that he intends to propose a plan that would offer domestic partner health insurance benefits to all state workers, including UW System employees. While specifics of the plan have yet to be revealed, essentially, the proposal would authorize and fund health insurance benefits for domestic partners.
As this proposal works through the legislative process, the State Relations Update will keep the campus informed of the progress. For a more in depth summary of UW-Madison efforts to advocated and help secure these benefits, please refer to: http://www.news.wisc.edu/domesticPartnerBenefits/
SENATE, ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEES TO MEET
The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing and executive session Wednesday, February 14th at 2 p.m. in room 201 Southeast of the State Capitol. The committee will take public testimony and consider the appointment of Michael Falbo to the UW System Board of Regents.
Rep. Steve Nass, chairman of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, has tentatively set aside February 26th or March 5th for its first public hearing of the session. The hearing date and time, along with the agenda should be set later this week.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
SJR 8/AJR 16 (Sen. Risser/Rep. Black) - Commending the UW-Madison Badger football team
These resolutions honor the UW-Madison Badger Football team and first-year head coach Bret Bielima.
LEGISLATION CIRCULATING
LRB 1614/2 (Sen. Kanavas) - Commending Joe Thomas for his athletic achievements
The Senate Joint Resolution states that the members of the Wisconsin legislature salute the achievements of Joe Thomas both on and off the field.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Don Nelson or Kristi Thorson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967