Government Relations
Legislative Update
March 4, 2005
Joint Finance Committee hearings
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald and Rep. Dean Kaufert, Co-Chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, announced plans to hold five hearings across the state on Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget bill. The hearing schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday, March 9, 1-7 p.m.: Health and Wellness Center, Watertown.
- Friday, March 11, Noon-5 p.m.: Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland.
- Monday, March 14, 3-8 p.m.: UW Stout, Menomonie.
- Tuesday, March 15, Noon-5 p.m.: Prairie River Middle School, Merrill.
- Thursday, March 17, 10 am - 5 p.m.: Room 412-E, State Capitol, Madison.
The committee is scheduling selected agency briefings for the days of March 29, 30 and 31.
Legislative Session
On March 2, UW System President Reilly briefed members of the Assembly Colleges & Universities and Senate Higher Education and Tourism committees on his efficiency and effectiveness initiatives, proposals for consolidating some of the Madison-based administrative functions of UW-Extension and the UW Colleges, and credit transfer between UW System and WTCS. He was joined by WTCS President Dan Clancy, UW-Fox Valley Dean Jim Perry, and Ted Sauve, vice chair of the Marinette County Board. Rep. Rob Kreibich also presented his ideas on merging the two-year and four-year campuses.
To read President Reilly's testimony, please go to: http://www.uwsa.edu/president/speeches/2005/s050302.htm
Also, the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee held a confirmation hearing for Regent Milt McPike. A paper ballot vote will be conducted and reported soon.
Legislation Circulating
Sen. Alberta Darling has introduced SB 96, a bill to allow baccalaureate or graduate degree granting institutions within the UW System to operate or contract for the operation of a charter school with the approval of the Board of Regents. For more information, please see: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-96.pdf
Sen. Judith Robson has introduced SB 98, a bill that requires, with certain exceptions, all contractual services purchased by state executive branch agencies to be performed within the United States. For more information, please see: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-98.pdf
Federal Legislative Update
The Washington Times reported on February 28 that Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) has announced a proposal to lift the limitations on embryonic stem-cell research. This proposal, which will go before the House Energy and Commerce committee would allow "any stem-cell line to be eligible for federal funding, as long as it meets certain medical and ethical standards."
Timeline of State and Federal Budget Activities
| March | |
|---|---|
| 9 | Building Commission Higher Education Subcommittee meeting |
| 9 | Joint Finance hearing, Health and Wellness Center, Watertown |
| 11 | Joint Finance hearing, Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland |
| 14 | Joint Finance hearing, UW-Stout, Menomonie |
| 15 | Joint Finance hearing, Prairie River Middle School, Merrill |
| 17 | Joint Finance hearing, Room 412-E, State Capitol, Madison |
| 18 | Building Commission meeting TBA Congressional Higher Education hearings |
| April | |
| 7 | Poster Day In the Rotunda (Regent/Student/Faculty/Staff legislator visits) |
| 10 | Spirit Week Begins (community, alumni, legislator visits) |
| 12 | Alumni and mascots connect with legislators |
| 13 | President Reilly Roundtable at the UW-Madison campus |
| 15 | Spirit Day, all wear campus colors to work |
| May | |
| 11 | UW Colleges Legislative Breakfast |
End Note
Bills and Board of Regents positions will be posted at:
www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/pending/index.htm
For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464.
UW System's initial analysis of the Governor's 2005-07 Budget Proposal is
available at:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/budget/
Information on the Web
UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/
UW System Budget:
http://www.uwsa.edu/budplan/
Wisconsin Legislature:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/