February 21, 2005
ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER CHURCHILL RESOLUTION
A measure to condemn University of Colorado Professor Ward Churchill's speech set for March 1 at UW- Whitewater is on the Assembly agenda for Tuesday, February 22. Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR 15) also urges Chancellor Jack Miller to cancel the speech and the Board of Regents to "conduct a review of hiring and tenure procedures to determine if appropriate policies exist to prevent the hiring of and, if necessary, the timely dismissal of faculty failing to meet honorable academic standards of conduct expected by students, parents, and taxpayers." It is possible the full Assembly may not vote on the measure and the Senate has yet to indicate any potential action if the resolution passes the Assembly.
A copy of the resolution can be found at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AJR-15.pdf
JOINT MEETING OF HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEES SET
The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee and the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee are scheduled to meet at 10:00 a.m. on March 2 in Room 417 North of the state capitol. The hearing will include UW System President Kevin Reilly, Wisconsin Technical College System President Dan Clancy and other invited guests to speak on UW System restructuring plans, credit-transfers, and opportunities presented by higher education consortiums to improve administrative efficiencies. This will include Rep. Robin Kreibich's (R, Eau Claire) proposal to make the 2-year UW Colleges satellites of four-year UW institutions, and UW System President Reilly’s proposal to merge the administration functions of the UW Colleges and UW Extension.
The hearing will also feature Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC) President Larry Isaak who will discuss student exchanges and savings that could be achieved by participation in insurance and procurement contracts negotiated by the Midwest Higher Education Compact.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
Immediately following the meeting the Senate Higher Education Committee. Included in the committee’s agenda is a public hearing and possible executive session on the Governor’s appointment of Milton McPike to the Board of Regents and Senate Bill 38 which would authorize a program for UW System tuition gift certificates.
The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee will hold a public hearing on February 22, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 225 Northwest of the State Capitol. The Committee will meet to take up three bills:
- AB 27 -- Authorizes the Board of Regents to create a program to offer tuition gift certificates for UW System institutions.
- AB 31 -- Allows an individual income tax deduction for amounts contributed to ANY section 529 college tuition program.
- AB 87 -- Provides a nonresident tuition exemption for dependents of certain active members of the armed forces attending the UW System institutions.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 106 - Income tax deduction
Representative Jeffrey Wood (R, Chippewa Falls) introduced legislation that would allow students attending any college, university or technical college located in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, or Minnesota to utilize the income tax deduction for tuition expenses.
Assembly Bill 111/Senate Bill 53 - College savings account tax deductions
Senators Ted Kanavas (R, Brookfield) and Mark Miller (D, Monona) and Representatives Rob Kreibich (R, Eau Claire) and Dan Pridemore (R, Hartford) introduced legislation that would allow an individual income tax deduction for contributions by a divorced or legally separated parent to his or her child’s college savings account or college tuition and expenses program and limiting the deduction that may be claimed by a married person who files separately.
For the complete text of these 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