Government Relations
Legislative Update
July 22, 2005
Legislative Activity
Budget Bill Vetoes
The Governor announced this week that he would include four of the vetoes requested by President Reilly on behalf of the UW System. He will announce further vetoes and sign the budget bill on Monday, July 25. Specifically, the Governor will use his veto authority to:
- Restore $8 million in student financial aid;
- Release $34 million to our base budget that would have been withheld pending Joint Finance approval;
- Strike the 1.5 percent retirement contribution for non-represented UW/state employees;
- Remove a provision that would have required the sale of all power plants.
Pay Plan Action
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations voted this week to
approve a 2 percent increase in July 2005, a 2 percent increase
in July 2006, and a 1 percent increase in April of 2007 for
faculty and academic staff, except for those 34 individuals
assigned to Senior Executive Salary Groups (1-9). The Board
of Regents is required to report to and receive the approval of
the Joint Committee on Employment Relations regarding "pay
issues and current employment practices" of the UW System prior
to any increases for university executives.
The Committee made it clear that it wanted to know what steps were
to be taken to rectify the problems reported in the media over the
last few weeks with regard to the use of “back up” appointments.
The Committee wanted “to see signs that changes are coming before
those running the UW System see pay adjustments.” President
Reilly told committee members that he and the Board of Regents
were taking a hard look at these matters related to employment and
if a review demonstrates that things are broken, “we will fix them.”
The full Legislature approved and the Governor signed the 2003-05 classified Wisconsin State Employees Union contracts on Thursday, July 21. A copy of the JCOER version of the 2003-05 WSEU agreement covering the Administrative Support, Blue Collar, Security and Public Safety, and Technical bargaining units can be found at http://oser.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=4982 (very big document).
Legislative Committee Hearing
The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee has invited university representatives to provide a briefing on the implementation of the new Appointment, Payroll, and Benefits System (APBS) on September 6. For background, see http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2005/r050720.htm. A public hearing on the following bills is also scheduled for September 6.
AB-387. Eligibility of a person enrolled in a program that confers a master's degree in nursing for a loan under the Nursing Student Loan Program.
AB-544. Requires automatic fire sprinkler systems at private higher education institutions in certain residential halls and other student residential facilities.
The committee may take executive action on:
AB-297. Education tax credit for businesses.
AB-439. Salary and other compensation paid to UW System senior executives.
AB-387. Eligibility of a person enrolled in a program that confers a master's degree in nursing for a loan under the Nursing Student Loan Program.
AB-544. Requires automatic fire sprinkler systems at private higher education institutions in certain residential halls and other student residential facilities.
UW System Positions on AB 387, AB 297, AB 439, and AB 387 can be found at: http://www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/pending/index.htm
Federal Update
The U.S. House of Representatives is marking-up the bill to re-authorize the Higher Education Act in committee this week. Expect a report on what is included in the House bill and assistance provided by the Wisconsin delegation next week.
Bills and Board of Regents positions are posted at:
www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/pending/index.htm
For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464.
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/