October 11, 2005
JOINT AUDIT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER UW EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AUDIT
The Legislature’s Joint Audit Committee is scheduled to consider an audit on UW System personnel policies and practices at its next hearing, Tuesday, October 18th at 9:30 a.m. in room 411 South of the State Capitol. The public hearing and possible executive session is a follow up of a Sept. 13th meeting where President Reilly joined several legislators in asking the Audit Bureau to conduct such a review. Reilly is expected to testify at the public hearing.
The Legislative Audit Bureau has sent the committee a copy of the scope of the proposed audit. This letter can be found at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lab/reports/05-Scope_UWPersonnel.pdf.
SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE INFORMATIONAL HEARING SET
The Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee is scheduled to hold an informational hearing to offer a constructive review of personnel practices at the University of Wisconsin. The hearing is set for Thursday, October 19 at 10 a.m. in room 300 southeast of the State Capitol. President Reilly is expected to testify at the hearing.
More information about the hearing can be found at: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Oct05/Oct4/1004harsdorfuwhiring.pdf.
ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE POSTPONES HEARING ON BARROWS MATTER
The chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor, Representative Steve Nass (R-Palmyra) decided to postpone a public hearing on the UW-Madison scandal over the Paul Barrows matter due to a pending legal matter. No future date has been set.
Rep. Nass’ press release on the postponement can be found at: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Oct05/Oct6/1006nassbarrows.pdf.
MCREYNOLDS TO RUN FOR STEPP SENATE SEAT
Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds has announced that he will run as a Republican for the 21st Senate District seat to be vacated by State Senator Cathy Stepp (R-Sturtevant) at the end of her term in 2006. McReynolds is from Racine and was elected Sheriff five times before becoming county executive in 2003. Current Representative John Lehman (D-Racine) had previously announced his plans to run for Senator Stepp’s seat.
REGENTS APPROVE NEW SICK LEAVE POLICY
At the October Board of Regents meeting last week, the regents approved a policy that requires UW employees to provide a doctor’s certification when using sick leave for a period of 5 days or longer. Current policy describes appropriate uses for sick leave, such as personal illness, injury, or disability, but does not address circumstances under which faculty, limited appointees, and academic staff must provide a medical certification for using sick leave. Other state agencies and some local private employers, a certification requirement is often left to managers’ discretion, but private companies often specify a number of days as a trigger for when medical certification is required.
Regent Thomas Loftus emphasized the value of the sick-leave benefit, noting that changes would be made amid concern in the Legislature about recent UW employment situations.
“It’s prudent that the Board of Regents do something more akin to the private sector,” he said.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 730 - Charter Schools
State Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) has introduced legislation that allows the University of Wisconsin four-year campuses to establish independent charter schools. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Education Reform Committee.
Assembly Bill 731 - College Savings Accounts
State Representative Rob Kriebich (R-Eau Claire) 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 has been referred to the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
Assembly Bill 743 - Education Grants
State Representative Joe Parisi (D-Madison) has introduced legislation that changes the method by which the amounts to be appropriated for higher education grants, tuition grants, and Lawton minority undergraduate grants are calculated. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
Assembly Bill 747 - Early Retirement
State Representative Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing) has introduced legislation that would change calculations of creditable service for purposes of early retirement under the Wisconsin Retirement System. The bill has been referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems.
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 or contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967