Government Relations

Legislative Update

November 14, 2008

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In this issue:

STATE UPDATE

In The News

► November 6 -- Board of Regents Meeting
Please see the online news summary of last week’s one-day Board of Regents meeting in Madison, including photos of the Teaching Excellence Awards presentation.

► November 13-14 -- AP & WRN Coverage of UW System Hiring Policies
Recent media coverage has focused on a memo from UW System President Kevin P. Reilly requiring that all new hires funded by GPR/tuition be approved by the institution’s Chancellor, or his/her designee.  See news coverage by the Wisconsin Radio Network and the Associated Press.

► November 14 -- Free Online Test Preparation from KnowHow2GOWisconsin
The newly added Test Prep feature on the www.KnowHow2GOWisconsin.org website includes easy-to-use tutorials and interactive practice sessions designed to equip students with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed on the SAT, ACT, and GRE.  The program includes a vocabulary builder that contains over 2,000 words and adapts to each student’s ability level.

The addition of Test Prep to KnowHow2GOWisconsin was made possible through a College Access Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  The grant aims to help students learn about and prepare for a college education.  Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp. is providing matching funds for this grant-funded project.

State Legislation Update

► November 7 -- UW System Participates in a WACRAO Legislative Issues Panel
A panel consisting of UW System, WTCS, and WAICU representatives provided a legislative update at the 2008 Wisconsin Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (WACRAO) annual Conference in Stevens Point.  The panel provided an elections update, discussed the upcoming state budget process, and highlighted ways the three higher education systems work collaboratively in advocacy efforts before state government.

► November 10-12 -- Caucuses Determine 2009-11 Legislative Leadership

State Assembly leadership for the upcoming legislative session:

Speaker:  Rep. Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville)
Speaker Pro-Tem:  Rep. Tony Staskunas (D- West Allis)
Majority Leader:  Rep. Tom Nelson (D- Kaukauna)
Asst. Majority Leader:  Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau)
Caucus Chair:  Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha)
Caucus Vice Chair:  Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee)
Majority Whip: Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison)
Minority Leader:  Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon)
Asst. Minority Leader:  Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Wash.)
Caucus Chair:  Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbottsford)
Caucus Vice Chair:  Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc)

State Senate leadership for the upcoming legislative session:

Majority Leader:  Sen. Russ Decker (D-Weston)
Asst. Majority Leader:  Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay)
President of the Senate:  Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison)
President Pro Temp:  Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chip. Falls)
Caucus Chair:  Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine)
Caucus Vice Chair:  Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma)
Minority Leader:  Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)
Asst. Minority Leader:  Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)
Caucus Chair:  Sen. Joseph Leibham (R-Sheboygan)
Caucus Vice Chair:  Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)

► November 13 -- Recounts in State Legislative Races
A notice of recount has been issued by the Government Accountability Board in the 47th Assembly district race where Republican Keith Ripp edged out Democrat Trish O’Neil by only 28 votes (see coverage in the Baraboo News Republic).  Additionally, a recount is likely in the 18th Senate district where Republican Randy Hopper beat Democrat Jessica King by 180 votes (see coverage in the Oshkosh Northwestern).  The margin of victory in both races is well below the limit of 0.5% required for a free recount.

► November 14 -- Joint Finance Committee Appointments
Speaker-elect Mike Sheridan and Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald have announced their appointments to the Joint Committee on Finance.  Additional appointments will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Assembly (Democrats)
Co-Chair:  Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison)
Co-Vice Chair: Rep. Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine)
Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse)
Rep. Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing)
Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee)

FEDERAL UPDATE

► October 30 -- NGA Requests Waiver from Requirement to Maintain Higher Education Funding
The National Governor’s Association sent a letter to Secretary Margaret Spellings requesting that she provide a waiver from the requirement in the Higher Education Act that states maintain their level of spending on higher education.  Read the letter on the NGA website and news coverage by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

► November 12 -- AAU: Universities Can Play Key Role in Economic Recovery
The American Association of University sent a letter to leaders of the House and Senate asking that they consider the role of research universities as they develop economic stimulus legislation and complete the Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bills.  The AAU stressed the continued importance of investing in higher education as a means of ensuring long-term economic success.

► November 12 -- Fall 2008 Edition of the WiSys Newsletter
The fall 2008 newsletter of the WiSys Technology Foundation is now available online.

► November 12 -- Higher Ed Organizations Lobby for Increase in Pell Grant Maximums
The Student Aid Alliance, an association of national higher education organizations, recently sent a letter to Congressional leadership asking that the upcoming economic stimulus legislation include an immediate $500 increase in the Pell Grant maximum.

► November 13 -- DHS Issues Final Rule on E-Verify System
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule requiring that all federal contractors and subcontractors use the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) E-Verify system to determine their employee’s eligibility to legally work in the United States.  The rule will take effect on January 15, 2009.  For colleges and universities, the requirement would apply to current employees and new hires working directly on federal contracts.  See the press release and FAQ on the USCIS website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov  
19 Meeting of the Special Committee on Building Wisconsin’s Workforce in Madison.  An agenda and meeting materials (including an updated draft of WLC: 0203/2) are available on the committee website
20 WI Department of Administration releases new state revenue projection
20-21 UW System Office of Academic Affairs and the UW System Advisory Group on the Liberal Arts co-sponsor Liberal Education: a Unifying Mission for the 21st Century University, a system-wide conference at the Pyle Center in Madison.
Dec  
4-5 Board of Regents meeting hosted by UW-La Crosse
12

Meeting of the Faculty and Academic Staff Representatives Councils in Madison

19 Campus submissions for Federal Priorities for Fiscal Year 2010 due to UW System Federal Relations
Feb 2009  
5-6 Board of Regents meeting in Madison
TBD

Governor presents 2009-2011 budget proposal to the State Legislature
Mar 2009  
5 Board of Regents meeting in Madison
6 NSF Regional Grants Conference in Milwaukee, hosted by UW-Milwaukee and the UW System Office of Federal Relations.  NSF representatives will present information on Foundation, the review process, and cross-disciplinary and international programs.  There will also be breakout sessions with program officers from the NSF directorates and a session on proposal writing.
April 2009  
1-2 UW Law Days, a symposium on legal issues and new legal developments in areas of interest to university administrators.
TBD UW System Administration hosts Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

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