Government Relations
Legislative Update
November 7, 2003
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Legislative Session
This week, the Assembly passed the following bills:
AB-609, a bill that restores the National Guard tuition grant formula that was changed in the budget bill. The changes in the budget bill penalized students attending UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee, which have higher tuition rates.
SB-214, the proposal to allow persons to carry concealed weapons (with an exemption for higher educational buildings, but not all property). In passing the bill, seven Assembly Democrats joined 57 Republicans. The Assembly added additional exemptions that are expected to be quickly approved by the Senate. The Governor has said he will veto the bill. The Legislature will almost certainly attempt a veto override.
AB-183 was passed by the Assembly on a 97-0 vote. The bill would limit the number of college credits that a high school student can take under the Youth Options Program to 18.
The Assembly will be in session on Wednesday and
Thursday, Nov. 12 and 13, and is expected to vote on:
AB-342. (Rep.
Kreibich) The bill makes students convicted of possessing (with
intent to manufacture, distribute, or deliver) or of manufacturing,
distributing or delivering, a controlled substance ineligible
for state financial aid.
Committee Hearings
The Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Room 330-SW of the State Capitol, to vote on, among other items, SB-247. This bill allows certain orientation information for UW System students to be provided electronically.
Sent to the Governor
The following bills have been passed
by both houses and are available for signing by the Governor:
AB-259. Eligibility
for participation in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
AB-260. Extends
Milwaukee Parental Choice Program to all private schools in
Milwaukee County.
AB-261. Charter
schools located in the Milwaukee Public School District.
AB-472. Milwaukee
Parental Choice Program income limit.
AB-503. Enrollment
of the charter school established by UW-Parkside.
New Legislation Circulating
SB-297 has been introduced by Sen. Kanavas. This bill makes many changes relating to management of state government, land information and state printed publications. Several of these affect the UW System, including purchasing and human resources management systems, and printing restrictions. This bill is similar to provisions vetoed in Act 33, the 2003-05 budget bill. The bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform.
Reps. Nass and Gunderson and Sen. Kedzie are circulating LRB 3357/1 for co-sponsorship. The draft bill would allow Wisconsin residents to claim a state income tax deduction for investing in out-of-state 529-College Tuition Savings programs.
Sen. Hansen is circulating LRB 3665/1. This draft bill would create a "Manufacturing Competitiveness Grant Program." The bill would create a Manufacturing Competitiveness Board to administer $9,500,000 GPR in grants to the UW System Board of Regents, the Wisconsin Technical College System Board, and certain entities that assist manufacturers. A grant may be used to fund any project that assists a manufacturer in accomplishing improved productivity, reduced costs of operation, the use of new technology in the manufacturing process, the improvement of skills within its workforce, the creation of new products, sales in new markets, or any other goal approved by the board that benefits manufacturing in this state. The bill also provides $500,000 to the WTC System Board to contract for surveys to determine manufacturers' needs and provide technical assistance.
Governor Names Budget Director
Gov. Jim Doyle has announced that Assistant State Budget Director David Schmiedicke will succeed David Riemer as State Budget Director. Riemer resigned last week to run for Milwaukee County Executive.
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