Government Relations
Legislative Update
May 9, 2003
Joint Finance Committee Proceedings
This week, the Joint Finance Committee approved a measure that would provide 100 percent reimbursement of veterans' college tuition costs. The proposal was part of the Department of Veterans Affairs budget.
The Joint Finance Committee has not yet taken up the University of Wisconsin System budget.
Co-chair Rep. Dean Kaufert, (R-Neenah) says the Joint Finance Committee will meet next week Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (May 13, 15 and 16). There will not be a meeting Wednesday.
On Wednesday, May 7, co-chair Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) indicated that the committee plans to complete its work by May 23.
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
For
the Joint Finance Committee home page and schedule,
click on:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/jfc.html
State Employee Contracts
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations passed the 2001-03 state employee contracts on Monday, 7-1 (Foti). The contracts allow for a 1 percent pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2001, a 2 percent raise retroactive to July 2, 2002, and a final 2.5 percent pay raise retroactive from April. The Senate and Assembly passed the measures and Gov. Jim Doyle signed them on Wednesday.
Upcoming Committee Hearings
Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14 in 330-SW. The committee will review AB-74, which would provide a $25 tuition voucher at UW or technical colleges for students who sound Taps at military honors funerals.
New Legislation Circulating
Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire) is circulating
for co-sponsorship a bill (LRB 2203/3) that
would make convicted drug dealers ineligible
for taxpayer-funded Wisconsin Higher Education
Grants (WHEG grants). This bill has not yet
been introduced.
Rep. Kreibich is also circulating for co-sponsorship a bill (LRB 1130/2) that would prohibit the UW System and private colleges from assigning students to dormitories or residence halls unless the students have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis or sign a waiver that they have been informed about the risks and effective vaccinations and choose not to have the vaccination.
Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) and Rep. Don Friske (R-Merrill) are circulating for co-sponsorship a proposal (LRB 2619/2) regarding transfer of credits between and within the UW System and the Wisconsin Technical College System. This bill requires the Board of Regents to accept all credits transferred within the UW System, including credits transferred between two-year UW System colleges, and all credits transferred from the technical college system. The bill also requires each technical college district board to accept credits transferred from another technical college district or from a UW System college.
LRB 2528/2, by Rep. Jeff Wood (R-Chippewa Falls), requires sabbatical leaves for University of Wisconsin faculty to be paid through gifts and grants.
Press release by Reps. Wood and Suzanne Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls)
Background information about sabbaticals within the UW System
New
SB
153 (Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls).
This bill relates to school district youth options
programs, which allow pupils to attend an institution
of higher education under certain circumstances.
Referred to Committee of Education, Ethics and
Elections.
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