March 13, 2006
LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAPS UP…SORT OF
The expected end of the regular session of the Legislature came last week as both houses passed nearly 100 bills and resolutions. While March 9th was expected to be the final session day for the regular session, leaders from both houses made statements to the contrary and left open the potential for more action in April and May. However, leadership may still decide to limit the bills that could be considered.
Legislation that has been acted on by both houses and await the Governor’s signature include:
- Assembly Bill 87/Senate Bill 436 - Veteran’s non-resident tuition exemption
- Assembly Bill 383 - Require a criminal background check for certain positions
- Assembly Bill 387 - Nursing loan program
- Assembly Bill 1002/Senate Bill 549 - Medical School enrollment
- Assembly Bill 617 - Insurance coverage for cancer clinical trials
- Senate Bill 481 - Increasing the WHEG maximum
Legislation that requires further action by the Assembly or Senate include:
- Senate Bill 103 - Research tax credit
- Senate Bill 338 - Streamline the start-up technology process
- Assembly Bill 1035 - Prohibit drug dealers from getting financial aid
- Assembly Bill 976 - Loan forgiveness for rural physicians
- Assembly Bill 788 - Public disclosure of certain purchasing contracts
- Senate Bill 613 - Veterans tuition remissions
Resolutions that are set for the November ballot include:
- Senate Joint Resolution 53 - Defense of marriage constitutional amendment
More specific details about the potential April and May floor periods, and what bills would be considered is expected soon.
REGENTS DISCUSS TAXPAYER PROTECTION AMENDMENT
Last week, the UW Board of Regents heard a presentation from Professor Andrew Reschovsky of the UW-Madison UW System with an additional loss of more than $200 million if it were in effect for the current budget.
Reschovsky also provided the regents a letter that Chancellor John Wiley sent to him regarding the proposal. In his letter (which has also been sent to legislators), Wiley highlighted his concerns about faculty retention and how the amendment would have a direct negative effect on the state’s “largest ‘high-tech’ employer, the largest employer of people with advanced degrees, the largest source of technology transfer and start-ups, and the largest supplier of college graduates.” Professor Reschovsky’s presentation is available at: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2006/03-2006/TPamendmentImpactOnUWSppt.pdf
Chancellor Wiley’s letter will be available soon at: http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu/TABOR.html
The regents also heard from the sponsor of the amendment, Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend). Sen. Grothman and Tim Fiocchi, a staffer from the amendment’s co-sponsor Rep. Jeff Wood’s (R-Chippewa Falls) office presented the proposal to the regents’ and answered questions.
While the author’s pointed out that the bill exempts tuition and fees from the formula, Regent David Walsh responded that the real effect would be putting the burden on the backs of the students instead of the state. A more detailed summary of the regent discussion is available at: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2006/r060310.htm
Action on TPA is not expected until possibly late April or early May. There are no additional public hearings scheduled, however, the authors assured the regents that university officials would be invited to the next hearing on the bill.
UNITED COUNCIL PRESENT BUDGET PRIORITIES TO REGENTS
In United Council’s traditional budget report to the regents, the plan focused on access, quality of education and budget cost saving measures. The access portion of the plan included tuition affordability, the need for greater financial aid, and provide increases to the Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant and Advanced Opportunity Program.
In terms of enhanced quality of education, the plan calls for increased funding for faculty and academic staff salaries and Plan 2008. United Council also seeks new funding for the Initiative on the Status on Women project and domestic partner benefits.
Finally, the plan lays out budget cost saving measures that include contracting for non-mission critical functions, a moratorium on academic program expansion, and a development of alternative methods of assessing and awarding course credit.
Information about United Council can be found at: http://www.unitedcouncil.net
ASSEMBLY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COMMITTEE ACTION
In possibly its last hearing of the current legislative session, the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 1068 authored by Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater). The bill addressed the recent non-resident tuition decrease and UW System executive salaries. Several legislators defended the recent Regent’s decision on the salaries and questioned the bill’s intention to increase the legislature’s roll in setting the salaries. The committee voted 3-9 to reject the bill. The committee also rejected Assembly Bill 819 authored by Rep. Marlin Schneider to require increased practicum experience for law school students.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 1068 - UW administrator salaries
Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) has introduced legislation that caps UW administrator salary increases and reverses the recent non-resident tuition decrease.
Assembly Bill 1084 - Preferential seating sales tax exemption Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) has introduced legislation that creates a sales tax exemption for contributions to the Badger Fund for preferential seating at UW-Madison sporting events. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Assembly Bill 1096 - Rural teacher loan forgiveness Rep. Debi Towns (R-Whitewater) has introduced legislation that would create loan forgiveness program for students who agree to teach in school districts with populations of less than 10,000. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
Assembly Bill 1116 - UW executive salaries Representative Robin Voss (R-Racine) has introduced legislation that would cap UW executive salaries at a level no higher than the governor. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
LEGISLATION CIRCULATING
LRB 4773/1 - Felons working for UW
Rep. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) introduced legislation that would allow the university to consider an applicant’s felony history when applying for a position on campus.
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