Government Relations
Legislative Update
June 20, 2003
2003-05 Biennial Budget Bill
This week, the Senate and Assembly passed the state budget. The Senate vote was 17-16. (Sen. Gary George of Milwaukee voted for the bill and Sens. Robert Cowles of Green Bay and Mike Ellis of Green Bay voted against the bill). The Assembly vote was 59-38. All 58 Assembly Republicans plus Democrat Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc voted in favor; all other Democrats voted against. (Two seats are vacant.)
The Joint Finance version was amended by the Senate and concurred in by the Assembly. The amendments do not directly impact the UW System. The Assembly passed two minor amendments that must be concurred in by the Senate, which will likely happen on Monday or Tuesday. The budget is now all but final, since the legislative process only permits the Senate to address the remaining two Assembly amendments.
Vetoes
UW System President Katharine C. Lyall has forwarded veto recommendations to Gov. Jim Doyle regarding items that would adversely affect the UW System.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau Comparative Summary of the Joint Finance Committee modifications to the governor's budget request is now available. Click here for the LFB summary.
The LFB summary of the Senate and Assembly modifications are also available on the web. Click here for the LFB summaries.
A summary of the UW-related budget provisions is available on the web. Click here for the UW System Budget website.
New Bills Introduced
AB-403. SPORTS AGENTS (Wieckert) Regulates athlete agents who represent student athletes by enacting the Uniform Athlete Agents Act. To Colleges and Universities.
AB-406. COLLEGE ENROLLMENT (Musser) Allows tuition refunds for members of the National Guard or reserve unit called to active duty. To Colleges and Universities.
AB-408. (Musser) Prohibits discrimination in housing, public education, the equal enjoyment of public places of accommodation, and the granting of credit based on military status. To Government Operations and Spending Limitations.
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/
For further information contact Margaret Lewis (608) 262-4464 or David Miller (608) 262-4463