September 6, 2005
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON UW APBS IMPLEMENTATION
Today the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee heard from UW System President Kevin Reilly and Executive Vice President Don Mash about UW efforts to implement an Appointment, Payroll and Benefit System (APBS). The Committee was interested in learning more about why APBS is necessary and what it would cost after media reports earlier this summer showed that UW System had spent 5 years and $25 million on the project and do not yet have a completed product. In their testimony, Reilly and Mash noted that the current system is outdated and will not be functional in the future. Reilly also described changes he has made to the project management to ensure that the implementation occurs in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Reilly and Mash also told the Committee that a study of UW-Madison’s needs is nearly completed, which will provide UW System with a better idea of when the project will be completed and how much it will ultimately cost.
Of interest to UW-Madison, at the same hearing the Committee heard testimony about Assembly Bill 387, which extends the eligibility for the Nursing Student Loan Program to post-baccalaureate students. UW-Madison School of Nursing Dean
The Committee also voted on two bills. On a 8-1 vote they passed Assembly Bill 439, which requires a public hearing before adjustments are made to the salary and other compensation paid to University of Wisconsin System senior executives. On a 6-3 vote the committee passed Assembly Bill 297, which creates a tax credit for businesses that pay tuition for an individual to attend college.
AUDIT COMMITTEE TO HOLD HEARING ON UW EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
COLLEGE RE-ENROLLMENT BILL PASSES COMMITTEE
SPEAKER GARD ANNOUNCES CONGRESSIONAL RUN For more information on state related issues contact,
The Joint Audit Committee has scheduled an informational hearing on UW System employment practices next Tuesday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. in room 411-South of the State Capitol. Testimony, which is limited to invited speakers only, will include a follow-up on information President Reilly sent to the Audit Committee co-chairs last Friday on the use of back-up appointments. This information is available at http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050902a.htm. Following the hearing, it is expected that the Committee will ask the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct an audit of UW employment practices. President Reilly has joined several legislators in asking the Audit Bureau to conduct such a review (see http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050823.htm for his request).
The Senate Veterans, Homeland Security, Military Affairs, Small Business and Government Reform Committee unanimously passed Assembly Bill 378, which would require college re-enrollment of certain persons called into active military service. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Today Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) officially announced his bid for the 8th Congressional District, which is being vacated by Mark Green (R). Congressman Green, along with Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker (R), is planning to challenge Governor Doyle next fall. In addition to Gard, Representative Terri McCormick (R-Appleton) is also considering a run for the seat along with democrats Jamie Wall, Nancy Nusbaum and Steven Kagen.
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967