June 27, 2005
BILL TO BAN ALL CLONING PASSES ASSEMBLY
Late last Thursday the Assembly approved AB 499, a bill that would ban and criminalize reproductive and therapeutic cloning. The mostly party-line vote, 59-38, came after a long debate which included the approval three minor amendments. A fourth amendment, supported by UW-Madison, was offered by Representative Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) would have allowed therapeutic cloning. The amendment was defeated 56-42 with seven majority Republicans voting to support the change and three democrats in opposition. The bill now moves on to the Senate where they are expected to take action later this week.
A list of how legislators voted on the bill and amendments is available at: Rep. Underheim amendment http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/votes/av0222.pdf.
Final passage of AB 499: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/votes/av0223.pdf.
Additional information on this bill and other stem cell related items can be found at: http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu/stemcells.html.
ASSEMBLY PASSES BUDGET, SENATE TO VOTE THIS WEEK
Last week, the Assembly passed the Joint Committee on Finance’s version of the 2005-07 biennial budget on a 56-40 vote. During the debate, Democrat legislators offered three amendments that were supportive of UW-Madison, all of which were tabled on party line votes. Representative Mark Pocan’s (D-Madison) amendment would have restored all of the budget cuts to the UW System. Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) offered an amendment that would have increased funding for financial aid and Representative Frank Boyle’s (D-Superior) amendment would have deleted a merger study for UW-Superior and University of Minnesota - Duluth. Also related to the university, Representative Frank Lasee (R-Bellevue) offered an amendment that would have capped tuition at 3 percent. That amendment also failed.
The Senate is scheduled to consider the budget this week, then, barring any changes, the Governor could take action soon after.
UW UTILITY FUNDING BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Last week the Governor signed into law legislation (Assembly Bill 438) that provides funding in the current fiscal year for the UW System for energy-related and utility-related expenses by about $20 million and for additional items in other state agencies.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 503 - Definition of marriage/domestic partner benefits
Representative Marlin Schneider (R-Wisconsin Rapids) introduced legislation defining
marriage as between one man and one woman and establishing domestic partnership. The bill also provides domestic partners benefit coverage for UW-System employees.
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