March 23, 2007
BUDGET HEARINGS IN FULL SWING
The Legislature's budget writing Joint Committee on Finance began public hearings and state agency briefings this week. The public hearings held so far were in Milwaukee and near DeForest at the Arlington Research Center. CALS Dean Molly Jahn welcomed the committee at Arlington and presented them information about CALS, the research station and UW-Madison's budget priorities, including increased state support, faculty recruitment and retention and domestic partner benefits. UW-Madison was also represented by students, faculty and staff at the hearing. The committee has four more hearings set. The schedule is as follows:
The committee also heard from System President Kevin Reilly and UW System Board of Regents President David Walsh on the Governor's proposed UW System budget. Reilly and Walsh briefed the committee on the importance of maintaining what was proposed and identified areas of the budget that need continued support. After their presentation, they took questions from the committee.
The state agency briefings will continue into next week. The committee is not expected to start voting on sections of the budget until mid to late April at the earliest.
BUDGET REPAIR BILL CLEARS LEGISLATURE, SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
The bill requires all state agencies to send money back to the Department of Administration with the UW System share being $2.9 million. Also, the plan restores positions at state owned power plants. The restoration of the power plant positions means that the UW System, along with other state agencies, will not have to remove power plant positions on April 1, 2007, as previously required by 2005-07 biennial budget.
ASSEMBLY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COMMITTEE TO MEET
Assembly Bill 151 authored by Representative Hahn (R-Cambria) which makes a college student who is convicted of possessing, with intent to manufacture, distribute, or deliver, a controlled substance ineligible for state student financial aid.
19 LEGISLATORS DEFEND UW SYSTEM ADMISSIONS POLICY TO ATTORNEY GENERAL
The letter is available at:
L&S PROFESSOR APPOINTED TO GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION
Led by two co-chairs, the Commission will be made up of 24 community leaders appointed by the Governor. The Commission will include representatives from law enforcement, members of the legislature, the judiciary, religious communities, business, as well as private attorneys and criminal justice officials.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 154 - (Rep. Molepske) - Tuition income tax deduction
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,
The Governor's budget adjustment bill for the 2005-07 biennial budget was acted on by the Legislature and was signed in to law by the Governor recently. The bill was submitted by the Governor to make changes to the two-year budget in place since July 2005. A budget adjustment bill is fairly common in the last year of the spending plan.
Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), chairman of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee, has scheduled the second hearing of the committee on April 10th at 10 a.m. in room 225 northwest of the State Capitol. The committee will hold an informational hearing about UW-Madison's Office of Corporate Relations from the office's director, Charles Hoslet. Hoslet will brief the committee on how the office works with corporations as a UW-Madison liaison for the mutual benefit of both. The committee will also hold a public hearing on the following bill:
In response to a letter sent by Rep. Steve Nass and 18 other legislators, Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee), Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and 17 other legislators sent a letter to Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen supporting the comprehensive admissions policy. The letter states their support for the policy and reiterates the value of diversity on UW campuses. Additionally, the letter takes issue with Rep. Nass's assertion that the admissions policy violates state statutes.
http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Mar07/mar12/0312grigsbyuw.pdf
This week, Governor Jim Doyle signed an Executive Order creating the Commission on Reducing Racial Disparity in Wisconsin's Criminal Justice System. Professor Pam Oliver, UW-Madison Sociology Department chair at the College of Letters & Science has been appointed to this commission. The Commission will work to determine if discrimination is built into Wisconsin's criminal justice system and develop strategies aimed at reducing racial disparities at each stage of the state's justice system - from arrest of new suspects to parole of convicted felons.
Assembly Bill 83 - (Rep. Al Ott) - Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council
Representative Al Ott (R- Forest Junction) has introduced legislation which creates an Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. The purpose of which is to advise state agencies on matters related to agricultural education and workforce development to increase hiring and retention of well-qualified employees in industries related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. Membership would include the president of the University of Wisconsin System or his or her designee and other UW representatives.
Representative Louis Molepske (D- Stevens Point) has introduced legislation which would allow an income tax deduction for some amounts contributed by a divorced or legally separated parent to his or her child's college savings account or college tuition and expenses program.
Don Nelson or Kristi Thorson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967