Government Relations

Legislative Update

January 4 , 2008

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In this issue:

STATE UPDATE

In The News

Former Governor, UW-Stevens Point Chancellor, and UW System Regent Lee Sherman Dreyfus passed away on January 2 at his home from “respiratory failure relative to a heart issue.”  See President Reilly’s statement  and UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Bunnell’s statement on his passing.

Representatives Hixson and Smith plan to introduce legislation hoping to combat the brain drain of college graduates leaving the state. See news release about their plan.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Rep. Roger Roth has been called to active duty with the Air National Guard and will leave for Iraq in mid-January. See news story.  He joins fellow Assembly member Mark Gundrum who has been deployed with the Army Reserves.

State Legislation Update

Recent Legislative Activity

December 17— The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education Committee held a public hearing on SB 353, relating to collective bargaining for UW System faculty and academic staff.

Upcoming Legislative Activity

January 8 – The Assembly Committee on State Affairs has scheduled a hearing at 10 a.m. in room 328 Northwest to hear testimony on AB 646 relating to changes to the membership of  the UW Hospitals and Clinics Board and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority.

January 9 – The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education Committee will hold a public hearing at 10 am. in room 411 South on SB 333 relating to increasing appropriations for nanoscience positions and equipment at the UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, and Chippewa Valley Technical College.

January 11 – The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education Committee will hold an executive session at 11 a.m. or upon adjournment of the public hearing on the following:

            SB 238 – Instructional materials for students with disabilities
            SB 254 – Income tax deduction for college savings account or college tuition and expenses program
            SB 353 – Collective bargaining for UW System faculty and academic staff

Remaining Legislative Schedule

Watch live coverage of the Senate and Assembly floor sessions online. The Legislature will meet January 15, 2008 for legislative business.

  • Jan 15 to 31, 2008 (Tu − Th) Floor period
  • Jan 23, 2008 7 p.m. – Governor’s State of the State Message
  • Feb 19 to March 13, 2008 (Tu − Th) Last general-business floor period
  • April 3, 2008 (Th) Bills sent to Governor
  • May 6 to 8, 2008 (Tu − Th) Limited-business floor period
  • May 15, 2008 (Th) Bills sent to Governor
  • May 27 and 28, 2008 (Tu − W) Veto review floor period

Legislation Introduced or Added Since Last Update

January 3 – Rep. Ballweg has introduced AB 658 which would expand eligibility to receive an Academic Excellence Higher Education Scholarship to a high school senior with the next highest grade point, but not less than 3.8000 or the equivalent to be certified as an alternate to receive a scholarship if the designated scholar and alternate who has the same grade point average does not enroll in a participating institution of higher education. The bill also changes the date by which a school must designate a scholar from February 15 to February 25 of a school year.

FEDERAL UPDATE

The UW System Office of Federal Relations has prepared The Year in Review which contains highlights from 2007 and some activities and events to watch for in 2008. 

UPCOMING EVENTS     

January  
17

UW System Alumni Council -- In Wisconsin Dells
23

UW System Legislative Liaison/PIO Teleconference
23

Governor Doyle presents his annual State of the State Address
February  
4

Central Wisconsin legislative breakfast and briefing – at UW-Stevens Point
Hosted by:  UW-Stevens Point, UW-Marshfield/Wood County, UW-Marathon County
7-8

UW System Board of Regents Meeting in Madison
20

UW System Legislative Liaison/PIO Meeting – In Madison
March  
6 Hold the Date!  Tentative plans call for UW Undergraduate Research Day (Posters in the Rotunda) and UW Spirit Day to be held in conjunction with the legislative session and the Regents’ meeting in Madison.
26 UW System Legislative Liaison/PIO Teleconference

Web Resources

Contact

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Federal Relations:

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