May 23, 2005
FINANCE COMMITTEE DELAYS ACTION ON UW BUDGET
The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) was scheduled to take up the UW System budget last week, but delayed action until this Tuesday (May 24). They also delayed action on the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) budget (which includes the state’s financial aid programs) until Tuesday. The UW budget papers from which the members will be voting are available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/2005-07budget/BudgetPapers/May18.htm (click on “UW System”); HEAB budget papers are available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/2005-07budget/BudgetPapers/May17.htm.
A complete summary of JFC action on the UW System budget will be sent as a separate budget update once action is complete. Please note, however, that the schedule is subject to change and action could again be delayed.
If you are interested in listening to the Finance Committee’s deliberations, you can do so over the internet. A link to the audio broadcast is available on the legislature’s home page at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/.
For more information on the 2005-07 biennial budget, please visit the state relations web site at www.staterelations.wisc.edu/0507budget.html.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REMOVES DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS
Today the Joint Finance Committee took up the Governor’s proposal to allow and fund domestic partner benefits for UW employees. On a 13-3 vote the Committee voted to eliminate the Governor’s recommendation. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-Madison) and Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee) and Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) voted against removing the benefits.
STATE REVENUES EXPECTED TO INCREASE
Last week the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) announced that their re-estimates of the state’s general fund tax collections for the current fiscal year and the next two fiscal years show an increase of $349 million during those three years. However, the LFB also noted that increases in previously estimated expenses and decreases in previously estimated revenues will use $222.6 million of that new money. This $222.6 includes $22.5 million to pay for a current fiscal year shortfall in the UW System’s fuel and utility budget. The remaining $126.4 million of the $349 million is expected to be used to replace Governor Doyle’s proposal to borrow $130 million to pay for some of the increased costs of Medical Assistance in the upcoming biennium.
STATEWIDE SURVEY SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH
Today Public Opinion Strategies, a research company based in Washington, D.C., announced that Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly support embryonic stem cell research (69% support while 18% oppose). This conclusion is based on the results of a poll they conducted May 9-10 of 500 Wisconsin likely voters. A press release announcing the survey results is available at http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/May05/May23/0523curesstemcell.pdf. The survey report, which includes key findings, is available at http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/May05/May23/0523stemcellrept.pdf.
VETERANS TUITION BILLS PASS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Last week the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs passed two bills that provide tuition benefits for certain veterans and their dependents. Assembly Bill 317, authored by Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville) provides 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. Assembly Bill 318, also authored by Loeffelholz, provides a 50 percent tuition waiver for all veterans deemed eligible for state veterans benefits. The bills may be included in the budget bill now under consideration by the Joint Finance Committee.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION BILL TO HAVE HEARING
The Assembly Family Law Committee has scheduled a hearing on Assembly Bill 343 for Thursday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m. in room 417-North of the State Capitol. AB 343 would prohibit UW System from advertising, prescribing or dispensing emergency contraception or allowing those activities to take place on UW property. The Regent’s position in opposition to the bill is available at http://www.uwsa.edu/univ_rel/govrel/pending/position/p_ab343.htm.
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).
LEGISLATION CIRCULATING TO REQUIRE SPRINKLERS IN ALL DORMS
Senator Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire) is circulating legislation that would require automatic sprinkler systems in all residence halls and dormitories over 60 feet tall that are owned or operated by an institution of higher education other than the UW System. (Current law already applies these requirements to UW System residence halls.) The bill also requires all student residential facilities operated by fraternities, sororities, or other organizations authorized or sponsored by an institution of higher education, and all privately owned and operated student residential buildings over 60 feet tall to have the systems. This bill has not yet been introduced.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967