July 18, 2005
2005-07 PAY PLAN TO BE TAKEN UP BY LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK
The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations is scheduled to take up pay raises for UW System faculty and academic staff and non-represented state employees Tuesday, at 3 p.m. in room 412 East of the State Captiol. The plan to be considered would increase salaries two percent in July of this year, two percent in July 2006, and one percent in April 2007. The plan may also include a provision that state employee required contributions to health insurance premiums would not increase in the first year of the biennium, but could increase in the second year. Additionally, the committee will take up the 2003-05 employee contracts with the exception of the TAA contract.
UW System President Kevin Reilly, UW-Madison College of Engineering Dean Paul Peercy and UW-Madison alum and Fox Valley businessman Tim Higgins will testify to the need to continually address the faculty recruitment and retention problem and lagging faculty and staff salaries in relation to their peers.
After JCOER takes action, the full Senate and Assembly is scheduled to consider the committee action Wednesday. The Governor is then expected to sign the raises into law Thursday.
GOVERNOR BEGINS TO ANNOUNCE BUDGET VETOES
Today, the Governor began to reveal some of his vetoes of the state budget bill recently passed by the Legislature. He is expected to detail his veto action over the next week prior to requesting the bill from the Legislature. After formally receiving the budget, the Governor has six business days to sign it. Final action on the budget must happen statutorily by August 18, but is expected by the end of July.
Earlier this month, Governor Doyle discussed the status of his review of the budget bill. In his interview he noted that he would like to reverse some Senate cuts to the UW and increase financial aid.
For more information on the 2005-07 biennial budget, please visit the state relations web page at www.staterelations.wisc.edu/0507budget.html.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senate Bill 250/Assembly Bill 544 - Private residence halls sprinkler systems
Senator Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire) and Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire) introduced 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.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967