Government Relations

Legislative Update

April 11, 2008

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In this issue:

STATE UPDATE

In The News

River Falls Chancellor Don Betz Announces Departure

April 8 -- University of Wisconsin-River Falls Chancellor Don Betz announced that he will leave the campus at the end of June to become president of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. UW-River Falls Provost Connie Foster will succeed Betz as interim chancellor. See UWRF’s news release and President Kevin Reilly’s statement.

UW System releases 2007-2008 Accountability Report “Achieving Excellence”  

The University of Wisconsin System met or partially met 19 of its 20 goals last year, according to its annual accountability report, Achieving Excellence. (See UW-System press release.) The new report was presented by UW System President Kevin P. Reilly to the Board of Regents on Thursday, April 10. To view the 2007-08 UW System Accountability Report, Achieving Excellence, visit www.uwsa.edu/opar/accountability

Regent Emeritus Milt McPike Mourned

See statement from UW System President Kevin P. Reilly on the passing of Regent Emeritus Milton McPike.

Wisconsin Advances in Lumina Foundation’s “Making Opportunity Affordable” Grant Process

April 9 -- With the help and partnership of the Governor, Representative Steve Nass, Senator Kathleen Vinehout, the Department of Public Instruction, the Technical College System, and the Private Colleges and Universities, UW-System has secured a $100,000 grant to further develop plans aimed at expanding postsecondary educational opportunity and degree completion. If selected, Wisconsin would be one of five states to receive up to $2.1 million in additional grant funding. More information on this initiative can be found in today’s UW System news.

More legislative retirements announced

April 4 -- Representative Frank Boyle (D-Superior) representing 73rd Assembly District announced he is retiring. See Announcement.

State Legislation Update

State Budget Repair Bill

Ongoing negotiations continue between the Governor’s office and legislative leaders on an agreement to repair the $500-million plus state budget deficit. Leaders in both houses in both parties have suggested that the resolution could occur in the next few weeks, perhaps being resolved prior to the legislature’s last floor period, scheduled May 6-8th. Additionally, it has been speculated the entire deficit may not be solved at this time.

Special Session Called for Great Lakes Compact

On April 9, legislative leaders and the governor announced an agreement had been reached on the Great Lakes Compact. A special session will begin on April 17 with both houses planning to take up the bill the following week.

Signed Into Law

AB 83--relating to the establishment of an Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council (Act 223.)

Remaining Legislative Schedule

The remaining schedule is as follows:

  • 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

Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008

Key members of Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure students and families continue to have access to low-cost federal student loans. The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R. 5715) contains reforms to respond to student loan market instability. See the press release from the House Education and Labor Committee.

New Bill in Congress Would Mandate Campus Alerts Within 30 Minutes of an Emergency

A requirement that colleges warn their campuses of emergencies within 30 minutes—a provision that is already in one bill pending in Congress—is the focus of another measure that was proposed on April 9 in the U.S. House of Representatives. College officials have been lobbying against any time limit on emergency notifications.

Department of Education Releases Proposed Rule Changes to FERPA

The Department of Education (ED) has announced proposed changes to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The department recommends several new rules, updates and clarifications to the law. The proposed regulations come as the result of several campus events involving student privacy and Supreme Court cases that have occurred in the past eight years since the last update of FERPA. Public comments are being accepted by ED through May 8. The proposed rule and directions for submitting comments can be found online.

DHS Issues Interim Final Rule on Extension of "OPT"

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released its interim final rules on the extension of the "optional practical training" (OPT) period for international students from 12 to 29 months. Among the positive aspects of the extension of the OPT option is the ability of international students to work in the United States while their applications for the "H-1B" visas are adjudicated. See the interim final rule, which includes a request for comments.

FY2009 Federal Priorities

The UW System Office of Federal Relations has compiled the FY2009 Federal Priorities binder for the Wisconsin Congressional delegation. The binder provides members and their staffs with an overview of the UW System and background and position statements. This year’s Federal Priorities binder highlights several emerging ideas and issues in the UW System: the importance of Federal financial aid programs; the value of academic research and development in Wisconsin; UW System’s critical role in developing and supporting water research policy; and our national leadership role in advancing bioenergy research and discovery. See Binder online.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS     

April  
25 UW-River Falls hosts 9th Annual UW System Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity
May  
21 Legislative Liaisons/Public Information Officers face to face meeting at UW-La Crosse

 

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