April 6, 2001
GOVERNOR REQUESTS CHANGES TO UW BUDGET
Earlier this week Governor McCallum directed the Department of Administration to send a letter to the Legislature seeking several changes to the state budget as it relates to the UW System. The letter from DOA Secretary George Lightbourn to the Joint Finance Committee recommends:
- Providing an additional 165 positions to the UW System to allow the implementation of the new initiatives contained in the budget
- Delegating the salary-setting authority for UW System Senior Executives to the Board of Regents
- Exempting the UW System from the newly created Department of Electronic Government.
These recommendations will be considered by the Joint Finance Committee as part of the budget process.
SENATORS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
Joint Finance Committee members Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Senator Robert Welch (R-Red Granite) introduced their "Grow Wisconsin" budget initiative at Tuesday's Joint Finance hearing in La Crosse. While they did not unveil any specifics to their proposal, their plan supports funding for the UW System Economic Stimulus Plan. (More information about the Economic Stimulus Plan, which includes full funding for the Madison Initiative, is available at www.staterelations.wisc.edu/econstim.html.) Darling and Welch's plan also proposes providing the Wisconsin Technical Colleges with additional resources, eliminating the proposed tax on computer software, reducing filing fees on business shares, and designating a "Technology Zone" throughout Wisconsin.
DATCP NAMES DEPUTY SECRETARY
Earlier this week Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Jim Harsdorf announced the appointment of Les Lamb as Deputy Secretary. Lamb, who has worked for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board since 1984, will assume his duties on April 13.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
The Assembly Committee on Personal Privacy will meet on Tuesday, April 10, at 1:00 p.m. in room 225-NW of the State Capitol. Included on their agenda is Assembly Bill 175, which makes changes to the release of public employee personnel records.
The Assembly Committee on Health will meet on Wednesday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m. in the Room 417 North of the State Capitol. Included on their agenda is Assembly Bill 69, which allows individuals to use unused sick leave credits to purchase long-term care insurance under WRS.
The Joint Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 11, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Room 411 South of the State Capitol to take testimony from the public on the 2001-2003 budget as recommended by Governor McCallum. Representatives from the UW-Madison administration, faculty, staff and students are expected to testify.
The Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs will meet on Wednesday, April 11, at 10:00 a.m. in the Assembly Parlor of the State Capitol. Included on their agenda is Assembly Bill 243, which prohibits the UW and the Higher Educational Aids Board from providing any financial assistance to a person who is required to register with selective service and has not done so.
The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities will meet on Tuesday, April 17, at 10:00 a.m. in room 411 South of the State Capitol. Included on their agenda is legislation, not yet introduced, regarding changes to the EdVest college savings program and education tax credits.
The text and history of all legislation is available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) and Representative Terry Musser (R-Black River Falls) proposed legislation (Senate Bill 125) that would eliminate the current requirement that a state employee must exhaust his or her sick leave credits before becoming eligible for
income continuation insurance benefits. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Universities, Housing, and Government Operations.
For more information on state related issues contact:
Charles Hoslet
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for State Relations
hoslet@mail.bascom.wisc.edu
608-263-5510