October 3, 2005
CLONING BILL GOES TO GOVERNOR FOR EXPECTED VETO
Falling one vote short of being amended to allow therapeutic cloning, the State Senate last Tuesday voted to pass Assembly Bill 499. As passed, the bill prohibits cloning to create humans as well as an avenue of research related to embryonic stem cell research known as “therapeutic cloning.” The Governor has indicated that he plans to veto this legislation and it is unlikely that the Legislature has enough votes to override a veto.
The amendment, supported by the UW, to allow therapeutic cloning was offered by Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills). She was joined by Republicans Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) and Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) in voting for the amendment. Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) was the lone democrat to vote against the amendment, which failed on a 16-17 vote. The unamended bill passed the Senate 21-12.
More information about stem cell research and cloning is available on the state relations web page at http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu/stemcells.html.
CONCEALED CARRY LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED
Last Thursday Senator Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire) and Representative Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) announced that they are ready to re-introduce legislation to authorize permits to carry concealed weapons. They indicated that they have made some changes to the bill they introduced last year, which passed both houses of the Legislature. The Governor vetoed that bill, but the Senate overrode the veto and the vote in the Assembly was one short of an override.
The exact language of the bill is not yet known, but it is expected that there will be few exemptions included in the legislation. Like last session, the anticipated UW Regent position is that concealed weapons in and on all UW buildings and property should be prohibited.
Once introduced, the bill’s authors anticipate that the legislation will move quickly through the Legislative process. Governor Doyle has indicated that he would veto the bill.
PROCUREMENT BILL GOES TO GOVERNOR
Last week the State Senate unanimously passed Assembly Bill 105, which requires an analysis of any outside contract over $25,000. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE PLANS TO HOLD HEARING ON BARROWS MATTER
The chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor, Representative Steve Nass (R-Palmyra) plans to hold a public hearing to hear from requested speakers on the “UW-Madison scandal over the Paul Barrows” matter. The hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, October 12, although an exact time and room location have not yet been announced.
SENATOR STEPP WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
Today State Senator Cathy Stepp (R-Sturtevant) announced that she will not seek election to a second term in the 2006 election, citing family as the key reason for not making the run. Current Representative John Lehman (D-Racine) had previously announced his plans to run for Senator Stepp’s seat.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 701 - UW Regents
Representative Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson) has introduced legislation that requires the appointment of one citizen member from each Congressional district to the UW Board of Regents. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.
Senate Bill 351 - college savings account
Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) has introduced legislation that creates non-refundable individual income tax credits for amounts contributed to a college savings account or a college tuition and expenses program. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs.
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