April 5, 2005
JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENCY BRIEFINGS TO WRAP UP THIS WEEK
The Joint Finance Committee will receive its last agency briefings this week, concluding with the Department of Administration on Wednesday. Last week, UW System Executive Senior Vice President Don Mash and Regent Charles Pruitt appeared before the committee to testify on the state budget proposal. Their testimony is available at: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050329a.htm.
UW-Madison College of Letters and Science Dean Gary Sandefur represented UW-Madison and answered questions in relation to the importance of a quality pay plan and issues related to faculty competition and retention. Co-chair Representative Dean Kaufert (R- Neenah) and Representative David Ward (R- Ft. Atkinson) said in relation to the Governor’s domestic partner benefit proposal for University employees that “in tight budgets, there is no room for domestic partner benefits.”
After completing the scheduled agency briefings this week, the committee is expected to possibly begin voting on specific provisions of the budget the week April 18th. Voting is expected to continue through the end of May.
For more information on the 2005-07 biennial budget, please visit the state relations web site at www.staterelations.wisc.edu/0507budget.html.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TOURISM HEARING The Senate Committee on Higher Education and Tourism has scheduled a public hearing for April 6, at 10 a.m. in 300 Southeast. The Committee will discuss and possibly take action on the following bills:
- Senate Bill 38 an act authorizing a program for tuition gift certificates at the UW System.
- Senate Bill 76 an act relating to the eligibility for academic excellence higher education scholarships.
- Senate Bill 96 an act relating to the creation of independent charter schools established by UW System institutions.
- Senate Bill 121 an act relating to the appointment of student members to the UW System Board of Regents.
ASSEMBLY TO TAKE ACTION ON UW ROCK COUNTY ENGINEERING BILL
This week, the full Assembly is expected to take final action on Assembly Bill 53. The bill year allows for UW-Platteville to provide engineering instruction at the UW-Rock County campus. Originally, the bill’s provision was included in the 2003-05 state budget, however, was vetoed by the Governor. The provision is included in the Governor’s 2005-07 budget as well. If passed, the bill will move to the Senate for consideration. A full copy of the bill is available at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AB-53.pdf.
LEGISLATION CIRCULATING
LRB 2498 - Veteran’s dependant tuition waiver
Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville) is circulating would provide a tuition waiver at any UW System institution or Wisconsin Technical College System school for dependent children or the spouse of a veteran with at least a 30 percent service-connected disability. The bill is part of the Veteran’s Relief Package.
LRB 2499 - Veteran’s tuition waiver
Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz (R- Platteville) is also circulating a bill would provide a 50 percent tuition waiver for all veterans deemed eligible for state veterans benefits. The bill is part of the Veteran’s Relief Package.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senate Bill 152 - Tuition tax credit for businesses - Sen. Alberta Darling (R- River Hills)
This bill creates an income tax and franchise tax credit for businesses that pay
tuition for an individual to attend a university, college, or technical college.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-152.pdf.
For the complete text of all bills and their current status, please visit
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/ab_list.html 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