Government Relations

Legislative Update

February 29, 2008

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In this issue:

STATE UPDATE

In The News

► Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, UW-Stout, and UW-Green Bay announce groundbreaking engineering program. Read coverage of the cutting edge program that will allow student to complete UW-Stout's manufacturing engineering bachelor degree program while staying close to home.

► Adult Student Initiative
This week UW Colleges/UW-Extension Chancellor Wilson rolled out the Adult Student Initiative. See Appleton Post-Crescent story.

►Budget Repair Bill
According to Wispolitics.com and other news sources, Governor Doyle is expected to introduce a Budget Repair bill sometime next week. Details will follow as they become available.

 

Posters in the Rotunda

The 5th Annual “Poster’s in the Rotunda,” celebrating undergraduate research is Wednesday, March 5th in the State Capitol from 8:30-5pm. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and other supporters of higher education from across the state will participate in activities and make legislative visits throughout the day. Please view the website for details. 

Schedule of Posters 2008 Events:

8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Legislative Symposium (Room 412 East)
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Posters Display – Capitol Rotunda
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Program (North Hearing Room-2nd Floor)
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Meet n’ Greet/Lunch (Locations TBA)
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Legislative Reception (North Hearing Room-2nd Floor)

SJR 90 & AJR 100 (Vinehout/Rhoades/Nass), commending students, faculty, and staff of the University of Wisconsin System campuses on Undergraduate Research Day, were passed by both houses this week.

 

State Legislation Update

Recent Legislative Activity

February 19 – The Senate passed SB 353 relating to collective bargaining rights for UW System faculty and academic staff. See the university’s neutral position.

February 20 – On an 8-0 vote, the Assembly Committee on Public Health passed AB 740, providing a researcher, under certain circumstances, access to cancer information. The Senate Committee on Public Health passed the companion bill, SB 415, on a vote of 4-1. Read the press release by the legislation’s sponsors here.

February 21 –. The Assembly Committee on Corrections and Courts, by a vote of 8-3, recommended passage of the amended AB 787 regarding psychological evaluations for law enforcement officers.  

The Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection and Personal Privacy recommended passage of AB 771, prohibiting state government programs to use social security numbers as a personal identifier.

The Senate Economic Development Committee held a Briefing on Economic Development Initiatives to hear testimony on the importance of biofuel and renewable energy research and youth entrepreneurship to building the state’s workforce. UW-Stevens Point Paper Science and Engineering Dept. Chair Gerry Ring testified.

February 25 -The committee also recommended passage, by a vote of 5-0, SB 516, relating to UW-La Crosse financial aid. The legislation was referred to the Joint Finance Committee for consideration.

February 26 – The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities executive session was cancelled.

February 26-28 –

The full Senate considered and passed the following bills:

  • SB 163 as amended, requiring all contractual services purchased by state executive branch agencies to be performed in the United States. The bill was amended to exempt UW System as recommended in the university’s position here.
  • SB 286, relating to UW System and technical college system fee remissions for certain students.
  • SB 456, relating to the TomoTherapy addition to UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine to the 2007-2009 authorized state building program.  See the university’s support position.
  • Appointment of José Vásquez, of Milwaukee to the Board of Regents was confirmed

The full Assembly considered and passed the following bills:

  • AB 83, as amended, which creates an agricultural education and workforce development council.
  • AB 766, regarding the addition of a TomoTherapy facility for the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine to the 2007-2009 authorized state building program.  See the university’s support position.

 

Legislation Circulating, Introduced or Added Since Last Update

February 26 – Rep. Hixson introduced AB 884, relating to UW System and technical college course materials. This legislation has been referred to the Committee on Universities and Higher Education.

 

Remaining Legislative Schedule

Watch live coverage of the Senate and Assembly floor sessions online. The remaining schedule is as follows:

  • 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

 

FEDERAL UPDATE

► Presidential Campaign Representatives Address Science Issues 
At the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), representatives from two of the 2008 presidential campaigns participated in a forum on science and research issues. The representatives, Tom Kalil from the Hillary Clinton campaign and Alec Ross from the Barack Obama campaign, spoke about their candidates' plans for increasing federal funding for science and technology and discussed how their candidates would appoint science officials in the next administration.  (NASULGC joined AAAS and the Association of American Universities in organizing the forum which was moderated by Claudia Dreyfus, a science and technology reporter with the New York Times.  See session coverage. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS     

March  
5 5th Annual UW System 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.
5-6 United St. Croix Valley Days, Inn on the Park, Madison
See website for more details. 
6 Board of Regents Meeting - in Madison
17-28 Congressional District Work Period
26 UW System Legislative Liaison/PIO Teleconference

Web Resources

Contact

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