February 28, 2005
FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES BUDGET HEARINGS
The Joint Finance Committee has scheduled five public hearings on the budget bill (Assembly Bill 100) in March. The dates, times and locations are as follows:
- Wednesday, March 9, 1-7 p.m., Health and Wellness Center, Watertown
- Friday, Mach 11, Noon - 5 p.m., Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland
- Monday, March 14, 3 - 8 p.m., UW-Stout, Menomonie
- Tuesday, March 15, Noon - 5 p.m., Prairie River Middle School, Merrill
- Thursday, March 17, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., State Capitol, Madison
The Committee is scheduling selected agency briefings for March 29, 30 and 31.
For information on the 2005-07 budget, including a summary of items of interest to UW-Madison in the Governor’s budget proposal, Chancellor Wiley’s statement on the budget and a budget timeline, please visit the state relations 2005-07 budget web page at www.staterelations.wisc.edu/0507budget.html.
Building on the Finance Committee’s hearing schedule, Assembly Majority Leader Mike Huebsch (R, West Salem) announced the following March floor sessions:
- Tuesday, March 8, 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, March 10, 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.
ASSEMBLY PASSES CHURCHILL RESOLUTION
Last week the Assembly passed Assembly Resolution 8 in lieu of Assembly Joint Resolution 15, condemning Prof. Ward Churchill’s “anti-American hate speech” and encouraging UW-Whitewater to cancel Prof. Churchill’s speech on that campus, scheduled for tomorrow, March 1. AR 8 and AJR 15 were both authored by Rep. Steve Nass (R, Whitewater), but AR 8 removed language asking the Board of Regents to review hiring and tenure criteria. The resolution, available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AR-8.pdf, passed 67-31.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee and the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 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.
Immediately following the joint meeting the Senate Higher Education Committee will meet separately. Included on 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.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senate Bill 71 - abortion and public funds
Senator Joe Leibham (R, Sheboygan) introduced legislation that prohibits an organization or affiliate that engages in abortion-related activities from receiving certain public funds and from using other public or private funds for abortion-related activities. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
Senate Bill 74 - medical malpractice claims
Senator Fred Risser (D, Madison) introduced legislation that makes changes to the time limit for notification of the state regarding a medical malpractice claim against state employees or agents of the state. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
Senate Bill 76 - higher education scholarships
Senator Risser also introduced legislation that makes changes to the eligibility requirements for the academic excellence higher education scholarships. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education and Tourism.
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