April 25, 2003
FINANCE COMMITTEE BEGINS WORK
This week the Joint Finance Committee began making changes to Governor Doyle's proposed 2003-05 biennial budget. Before taking any votes, the committee removed non-fiscal policy items, including a provision that would provide certain undocumented persons with nonresident tuition remission at UW System schools. This same policy had already been introduced as separate legislation as Assembly Bill 95.
The committee began voting on Wednesday, making additional spending cuts to the Governor's plan, including a $14.8 million cut to Wisconsin's technical colleges. The committee's action cuts state tax funds to the technical colleges by 6.2 percent.
Action on the budget proposal will continue next week, with the following agencies being taken up on Wednesday: Department of Employment Relations; State Treasurer; Department of Electronic Government; Employment Relations Commission; Personnel Commission; Department of Military Affairs; Educational Communications Board; Environmental Improvement Fund; and Department of Tourism. The committee is also expected to meet on Thursday.
As the Joint Finance Committee makes changes to the budget, the Department of Revenue has cautioned that revenue from sales and income taxes for the current fiscal year may fall short of projections. This would increase the amount of the deficit that must be addressed in the 2003-05 budget bill.
GOVERNOR'S 2003-05 COMPENSATION PLAN PRESENTED
Department of Employment Relations Secretary Karen Timberlake presented the Doyle administration's proposed compensation plan for the 2003-05 biennium to members of the Joint Committee on Employment Relations earlier this week. The compensation plan recommends no wage increase in 2003-04 and a 1 percent increase in 2004-05. In addition, the plan proposes changes in the costs state employees would pay for health insurance. Depending on the efficiency of the plan, state employees would be required to pay a certain percentage of the premiums. This would cost employees between $25 and $100 a month for single coverage and between $62.50 and $250 for family coverage.
This plan would affect state employees not represented by collective bargaining units. However, Timberlake said unions can expect a similar offer from the state when negotiations begin on the 2003-05 contracts. The compensation plan does not cover UW System faculty and academic staff, but they can expect the same changes in health care premiums. The Board of Regents has not recommended any pay plan increases for faculty and staff.
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations will be meeting at 9 am, Tuesday, April 29, in Room 411-South to hear from Secretary Timberlake about the proposals, including the health care cost reforms. According to Assembly Speaker John Gard (R, Peshtigo), if the committee is satisfied with the reforms then the process for approving the currently ratified agreements with the collective bargaining units for 2001-03 could move forward quickly.
PEN RECORDS BILL ADVANCES
The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy met earlier this week and heard testimony on Senate Bill 78, which clarifies laws related to public access to public employee records. UW-Madison Senior University Legal Counsel John Dowling testified in support of the bill, which unanimously passed the committee. The bill next goes to the full Senate for consideration.
The Assembly Committee on Government Operations and Spending Limitations held a hearing on SB 78's companion bill, Assembly Bill 196. John Dowling submitted testimony in support of this bill. No executive action on AB 196 has been reported.
The text and history of all legislation is available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html.
CHIEF RISELING TESTIFIES AT BUDGET COMMITTEE
At the invitation of the Assembly Budget Review Committee, UW-Madison Police Chief Sue Riseling testified this week before the committee about the UW-Madison Police Department's responsibilities and activities. The focus of the hearing was to identify new efficiencies and eliminate duplication of services among various law enforcement agencies. The committee has not yet made any formal recommendations.
ASSEMBLY TO TAKE UP TAPS TUITION VOUCHER BILL
The full Assembly will be in session Tuesday, April 29. Included on their calendar is Assembly Bill 74, which provides tuition vouchers for students who sounds Taps at military honors funerals. The full Senate is expected to meet next on the following Tuesday, May 6.
TOURISM SECRETARY RESIGNS
Citing family concerns, Department of Tourism Secretary Kevin Shibilski resigned effective next Friday, May 2. He left the State Senate in January to take the post. His successor has not yet been named.
LEGISLATION CIRCULATING
Representative Rob Kreibich (R, Eau Claire) is circulating for co-sponsorship a bill (LRB 2203/3) that would make convicted drug dealers ineligible for taxpayer-funded Wisconsin Higher Education Grants (WHEG grants). This bill has not yet been introduced.
Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) is circulating legislation (LRB 0220/3) that would allow teaching assistants and program assistants within the University of Wisconsin System to participate in the WRS.
For more information on state related issues contact:
Charles Hoslet
Senior Special Assistant to the Chancellor
Director, State Relations
hoslet@bascom.wisc.edu
608-263-5510