April 10, 2006
NEW VERSION OF THE “TPA” INTRODUCED
This week the authors of the “Taxpayer Protection Act” introduced a substitute version of the resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 63). Under the newest proposal, certain revenues could be exempt from the limits. (A Legislative Fiscal Bureau Summary of the new version is available at:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/LFBPublications_ButtonPages/Publications_Main.htm.) One of the bill’s leading supporters, Representative Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay) has withdrawn his support saying the new version weakens the bill.
Also this week, the Senate Select Committee on the Taxpayer Protection Amendment and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on the proposal. The first part of the hearing was limited to invited speakers only. Regent President David Walsh, UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells and UW-La Crosse Chancellor Douglas Hasted testified against the bill during this part of the hearing. Later the hearing was opened to the public.
It is not yet known when the full Legislature will act on the bill, but a vote is possible later this month. More information about the Taxpayer Protection Amendment is available at: http://staterelations.wisc.edu/TABOR.html.
AUDIT BUREAU TO REVIEW STATE IT PROJECTS
Citing a concern over the costs of various information technology projects at various state agencies and the University System, this week the Legislature’s Joint Audit Committee unanimously approved an audit of these projects. This audit is expected to be the largest the Legislative Audit Bureau has ever undertaken. The full scope of the audit is available at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lab/reports/06-Scope_IT_Systems3-22-06.pdf.
REP. KREIBICH CIRCULATING BILL TO “RETOOL” UW
Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee Chair Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire) is circulating for co-sponsorship a bill to “retool the economic engine” which makes several changes to UW funding and policy. Because of the limited days left in the 2005-06 legislative session, it is unlikely that this bill will be taken up by the Legislature this year. According to Rep. Kreibich, the bill does the following:
- Putting Wisconsin Families First. Any Wisconsin high school graduate who finishes in the top ten percent of his or her class, scores a 25 or higher on their ACT exam (the average UW score is 23), and who takes three years of math and science in high school would be GUARANTEED ADMISSION to the UW campus of their choice. This provision provides an incentive for Wisconsin students to perform well in high school, and would keep our best and brightest in Wisconsin.
- Better Bang for the Buck. This provision would mandate that at least two thirds of the GPR that the Legislature allocated to the UW would be spent on direct classroom instruction. Currently, less than fifty cents on the dollar (46% according to the Fiscal Bureau) goes to direct classroom instruction. This would address one of the most frequent frustrations among UW students: that they can't get the classes they need to graduate in a timely manner. This would also address the public perception that the UW is top heavy with administrators.
- Fairness in Funding. You probably didn’t know that the UW doesn't have a transparent funding formula. For example, in the 2003-2005 budget 41% of the tax dollars the Legislature allocated went to one campus: UW-Madison. We would still lavishly fund our flagship university, but not at the expense of the other 25 UW schools. UW-Madison, with 21% of the undergrads, could receive no more than 33% of the GPR tax dollars budgeted. Building better budgets starts with a fairer, more equitable distribution of tax dollars to all UW campuses, not just one.
- Truth in Tuition Advertising. This would roll skyrocketing fees into tuition pricing, much like one sticker price you find when you shop for a vehicle on a car lot. UW fees have risen 100% in the past ten years, and now top $1,000 annually on some campuses. Students and their families would more easily find the true cost of attending UW campuses with one sticker price that includes both tuition and fees. Touting tuition costs and ignoring the fees only leads to "sticker shock" when students and their families eventually learn of the soaring fees.
- Say No to Excessive Perks. Nothing has damaged the public's confidence in the UW more than outrageous executive perks that are unheard of in the private sector, or other government sectors. We would ban the use of GPR tax dollars, tuition, student fees, differential tuition, and auxiliary funds for the following perks:
-- back-up jobs for non-tenured UW administrators;
-- the so called "golden parachutes" for UW administrators who resign or get fired and still get paid for months after they are gone;
-- salaries of UW employees convicted of serious felonies while employed at the UW. - Reallocation Match. The state would match up to $10 million if UW campuses reallocate dollars internally to meet a critical workforce shortage/high demand majors.
- Job Creation Match. The state would match up to $10 million if UW campuses raise private funds for research aimed at creating jobs.
PREFERENTIAL SEATING TAX EXEMPTION BILL HAS A HEARING
Earlier this week the Assembly Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Assembly Bill 1084, which provides a sales tax exemption for contributions to the Badger Fund for preferential seating at UW-Madison sporting events. Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Vince Sweeney testified in support of the bill, which is expected to get a Committee vote on Wednesday, April 12 at 9:30 am.
REP. GIELOW WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
Representative Curt Gielow (R-Mequon) announced this week that will not seek a third term in the Assembly. He currently chairs the Assembly Medicaid Reform Committee and is a member of the Assembly Health and Insurance Committees.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 1120 - sick leave conversion
Representative Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) has introduced legislation that would permit participants under the Wisconsin Retirement System to use accumulated unused sick leave credits and health insurance premium credits to purchase both health insurance and long-term care insurance if he or she is not using the credits for the payment of health insurance premiums under the state group health insurance plan and if the participant is covered by a comparable health insurance plan or policy. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Insurance.
Assembly Bill 1130 - stem cell research
Representative Terese
Berceau (D-Madison) has introduced legislation (companion to SB 603) which provides that the policy of the state is to permit research involving the derivation and use of human stem cells. The bill also requires the research be approved by an institutional review board and a national oversight committee if state funds or resources are used to support the research. The bill has been referred to the Joint Finance Committee.
Assembly Bill 1142 - accessible instructional materials
Representative Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) has introduced legislation related to providing instructional materials to students with disabilities. Under current state law the UW System and Technical College System must ensure that no student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of the absence of education auxiliary aids for student with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills. This bill directs the UW System Board of Regents and the Technical College System Board to jointly: 1) establish a state repository for the purpose of collecting instructional materials in electronic and alternative formats and facilitating timely access to those materials by students with disabilities; and 2) develop policies and procedures to ensure that a student with a disability has access to instructional material in an appropriate format, within the first week of the class for which the material if required. The bill has been referred to the Colleges and Universities Committee.
Assembly Bill 1147 - right to refuse employment to a felon
Rep. Petrowski also introduced legislation that would permit the UW System Board of Regents and the Technical College System Board, or a technical college district board to refuse to employ or to terminate from employment an unpardoned felon. The bill has been referred to the Colleges and Universities Committee.
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