February 17, 2006
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES HOLD HEARING ON TAXPAYER PROTECTION AMENDMENT
At a joint committee hearing of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Select Committee on Taxpayer Protection Amendment, invited testimony was heard on the Taxpayer Protection Amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 63/Assembly Joint Resolution 77. The committee chairs, Representative Jeff Wood (R-Chippewa Falls) and Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) said that additional hearings may be scheduled with representatives from UW System being invited to testify. It is unclear when a public hearing on the resolutions will be scheduled. The Assembly is expected to take action on the resolutions first, however, action is not expected until late April or May.
This week, UW-Madison Professor Andrew Reschovsky's released a preliminary analysis of the legislation. In his analysis (which is available at http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/calendar-news/2006/reschovskyanalysis.pdf), Prof. Reschovsky looks at where state and local expenditures would be today had the limits been put in place in 1985. He analyzes the impact on local governments, K-12 funding and state government expenditures, including the UW System. He also considers the impact the amendment would have on Wisconsin's future economic growth. Finally, he examines the need for this amendment based on assertions that government spending is out of control.
For more information about TPA and TABOR, please visit the state relations web page at: http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu/TABOR.html.
REILLY, WALSH ADDED TO ASSEMBLY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COMMITTEE HEARING AGENDA
The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee has scheduled a hearing and possible executive session (vote) for February 21, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. in room 225-Northwest of the State Capitol. Included on their agenda are the following bills:
Assembly Bill 701, which requires the appointment to the Board of Regents at least one citizen member who resides in each of Wisconsin’s congressional districts.
Assembly Bill 819, which directs the UW Law School to require students to complete a clinical practicum.
In the wake of the recent Board of Regents decision to lower non-resident tuition at System schools (except Madison and Milwaukee), the committee chair, Representative Rob Kriebich (R-Eau Claire) has invited System President Kevin Reilly and Regent President David Walsh to testify on the issue.
The committee is also expected to take up Senate Bill 338 as well. SB 338 would streamline the process to get start-up technology to the marketplace.
ASSEMBLY VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER TUITION REMISSION BILLS
The Committee on Veterans Affairs, chaired by Representative Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville), is scheduled to hold a public hearing and executive session (vote) Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30 am in room 417 North of the State Capitol. The bills scheduled for action are:
Senate Bill 436, authored by Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), which allows students called to active duty to get the same reenrollment and registration priority they had not been activated.
Assembly Bill 1034, authored by Representative Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville) and Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), which changes some eligibility requirements for the veterans tuition remission program established in the 2005-07 budget.
UW-MADISON ADMISSION FORUM HELD FOR LEGISLATORS, STAFF
This week, admissions director Rob Seltzer conducted a forum on the UW-Madison admissions process to legislative staff at the capitol. The presentation included information about the admissions process and deadline, as well as data that describes the make-up of the freshman class, average requirements for acceptance, and other factors that are considered. Attendees also received a packet of additional admissions-related information, including quick facts at a glance, a viewbook/application and brochures about the guaranteed transfer and UW-Madison Connections programs.
The forum is part of a series being offered to legislators and staff on university issues. The next UW-Madison forum well be held in late March and will be on Tuition, Financial Aid and Residency.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 1034 - Veterans tuition remissions
Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Representative Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville) introduced legislation which changes some eligibility requirements for the veterans tuition remission program established in the 2005-07 budget.
LRB (to be released soon) - Executive salary cap and non-resident tuition Representative Steve Nass (R-La Grange) will soon be circulating legislation that would cap the pay increases of certain top UW administrators to 5% annually and restrict the Regent’s ability to lower non-resident tuition.
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).
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967