Government Relations

Legislative Update

March 28, 2003

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Joint Finance Committee Proceedings

The Joint Finance Committee held two public hearings on the biennial budget bill (SB-44) this week.

Monday, March 24: Rhinelander.

More than 400 people turned out to speak on the budget. The majority of the testimony related to the K-12 provisions. Speakers included UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Tom George, UW-Marathon Dean Jim Veninga, and UW-SP Student Government President Beth Richlen.

Tuesday, March 25: Menasha.

Again, most of the testimony focused on K-12 funding. Speakers included UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells, UW-Fox Valley Dean Jim Perry, and UW students and staff.

There are four additional hearings scheduled:

  • Monday, March 31: Milwaukee. Washington High School, 2525 North Sherman Blvd.
  • Thursday, April 3: River Falls. River Falls High School, 818 Cemetery Road.
  • Tuesday, April 8: Platteville. UW-Platteville Center for the Arts, 1 University Plaza.
  • Wednesday, April 9: Madison. Room 412-E, State Capitol.

For the Legislative Fiscal Bureau summary of the governor's budget, click on:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/2003-05budget/Governor/tableofcontents.htm

Regents hold listening sessions
 The UW System Board of Regents held two listening sessions this week to get feedback from invited students, faculty, parents, alumni, community leaders and others about how budget cuts could affect their campuses and communities. The sessions were held at Stevens Point on March 25 and Waukesha on March 26.

Here is press coverage from the sessions:

An additional session will be held in Madison on Monday, March 31.

Upcoming Hearings

Assembly Committee on Health will hold an informational hearing on the state budget beginning at noon. The committee will take testimony on, among other items, graduate medical education. The committee meets on Tuesday, April 1, in 417 North, State Capitol.

Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs will meet on Wednesday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m. in GAR 417 North, State Capitol to discuss AB 74, providing tuition vouchers for students who sound Taps at military honors funerals.

Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities will meet at 9:30 am on Tuesday, April 8 in 225-NW, State Capitol, to take up the following legislation (An executive session may be held.):
AB-66. Requires all persons admitted to UW Medical School to take the Medical College Admission Test.
AB-208. Appointment of UW Regent from each technical college system region, two student members.
AB-207. Bans smoking in and around UW System residence halls and dorms.
AB-84. Prohibits use of social security number in student ID at private institutions of higher education.
AB-209. Individual income tax deduction for great-grandparent, aunt or uncle to a college savings account or a college tuition and expenses program.

New Legislation Introduced

AB-207. SMOKING IN DORMS (Kreibich) Bans smoking in and around University of Wisconsin System residence halls and dormitories and provides a penalty.
AB-208. BOARD OF REGENTS (Kreibich) Changes the Board's membership by substituting a resident from each of the 16 technical college districts for the TCSB member and the 14 citizen members and by adding a student member which is at least 24.
AB-209. Individual income tax deduction for great-grandparent, aunt or uncle to a college savings account or a college tuition and expenses program.

Pending Legislation Web Site

Check out the updates to the UW System Pending Legislation site:
http://www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/pending/index.htm

Pending Legislation Site

Check out the updates to the UW System Pending Legislation site:
http://www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/pending/index.htm

Information on the Web

UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/

UW System Budget:
http://www.uwsa.edu/budplan/

Wisconsin Legislature on the Web
 http://www.legis.state.wi.us/

Prepared by Kerry Niemcek.
For further information contact Margaret Lewis (608) 262-4464 or David Miller (608) 262-4463

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