October 19, 2005
JOINT AUDIT COMMITTEE APPROVES UW EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AUDIT
The Legislature’s Joint Audit Committee approved an audit on UW System personnel polices and practices at its hearing Tuesday. President Kevin Reilly and Regent President David Walsh testified before the committee and gave updates on the progress of the employment practices changes currently being considered by the Board of Regents.
Regent President Walsh also reported to the committee that a special committee to review UW System’s disciplinary process. The committee members are Regents Michael Specter, Peggy Rosenzweig and Brent Smith, UW System General Counsel Pat Brady, UW-Platteville Chancellor David Markee, and UW-Madison law school professor and former head of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Walter Dickey. Walsh said the committee will report its recommendations to the Board of Regents at their December meeting and President’s Reilly and Walsh will report suggested statutory changes to the Audit Committee in January.
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
Testimony from Presidents Reilly and Walsh can be found at: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r051018a.htm (Reilly)
http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r051018b.htm (Walsh)
SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE HOLDS INFORMATIONAL HEARING
Today, the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee held an informational hearing to offer a constructive review of personnel practices at the University of Wisconsin. President Kevin Reilly and Regent President David Walsh both presented testimony to the committee, similar to their presentation to the Joint Audit Committee.
The committee also heard testimony regarding Governor Doyle’s Accountability, Consolidation, and Efficiency Initiative and how the procurement plan affects individual campus communities. Vice-Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell shared with the committee the progress of several contracts recently implemented, including the food service and travel contract. President Reilly and representatives from UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater offered testimony as well.
SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BILL HELPING UW RESEARCH ENTREPRENEURS
The Senate Committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs is scheduled to hold a public hearing and possibly vote on Senate Bill 338 Thursday, October 19 at 1:30 in room 300 Southeast of the State Capitol.
The bill would streamline the process to get start-up technology to the marketplace. The proposed law change would create an exemption for a research company who contracts with the University of Wisconsin for the purchase of goods or services if the contract evaluated by a campus review process, independent of the faculty or staff member involved with the company, shows there is not a conflict of interest. Engineering professor and entrepreneur Dan Botez is set to testify on how this bill would benefit technology start-up companies.
REP. VRAKAS ELECTED WAUKESHA COUNTY EXECUTIVE
State Representative Dan Vrakas (R- Delafield) was elected Waukesha County Executive Tuesday. Rep. Vrakas has been a member of the Assembly since 1990 and has served as the majority caucus chairperson since 1999. Vrakas was also a member of the State Building Commission since 1999 as well. He is expected to resign his seat next week and Governor Doyle could call for a special election to fill the seat.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Assembly Bill 763 - Carry Concealed Weapons
Representative Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) has introduced legislation that authorizes carrying of concealed weapons, requires background checks for handgun purchases and the issuing of photo ID cards for retired law enforcement officers. The bill was referred to the Assembly Criminal Justice and Homeland Security and is awaiting a public hearing.
Assembly Bill 768 - UW Charter School
State Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) has introduced legislation that allows the University of Wisconsin System to establish an independent charter school in Dane County. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Education Reform Committee and is awaiting a public hearing.
Senate Bill 377 - UW Charter Schools
Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 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.
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