Government Relations

Legislative Update

February 6, 2009

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STATE UPDATE

In The News

► February 6 – KnowHow2GOWisconsin/EdVest Video Contest Awards Presentation
The winners of the video contest were honored at the Board of Regents meeting on Friday, February 6.  State Treasurer Dawn Sass was on hand to present the winners with their EdVest scholarships.  Over 70 students from 22 Wisconsin cities created short videos dramatizing KnowHow2GOWisconsin's "Four Steps" to college. The videos are now available for viewing on the campaign’s website.

► February 5-6 – Board of Regents Meeting
The Board of Regents met this week in Madison.  The meeting agenda, webcast archive, and news summaries are available on the UW System website.

► 2009 Posters in the Rotunda is April 22! 

Please mark your calendars for UW System’s annual event featuring undergraduate researchers who display their research at the state capitol.  This year’s event will focus on undergraduate research that may positively impact our environment.  April 22 is also Earth Day, so the capitol should be very busy!  Additionally, Posters in the Rotunda will occur on a legislative session day, and falls in month where there is no Regent meeting.

State Legislation Update

► Legislation of Interest
The UW System is monitoring the following legislation of interest. We will be working to develop a position for consideration by the Board of Regents.         

  • AB1 (“The Wisconsin First Act”) – Relating to state procurement of products and services from businesses located in this state and setting a goal for local government to purchase a certain percentage of products and services from businesses located in this state.
  • AB 2 / SB 8 (“The American Jobs Act”) – Relating to the state procurement of contractual services.
  • SB18 – Relating to fee remissions for certain University of Wisconsin System and technical college students.

► Recent Legislative meetings
UW System President Kevin Reilly and Regent John Drew met with Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan last week to discuss ways to work together during the budget and legislative session.  Regent Mike Falbo met with Representative Nass, and UW System staff also recently met with the following legislators:

  • Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma)
  • Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse)
  • Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls)
  • Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)
  • Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay)
  • Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point)
  • Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
  • Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison)
  • Rep. Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater)
  • Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire)  
  • Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse)

UW System staff are currently scheduling meetings with each of the legislature’s 15 freshman legislators.  Thus far meetings have taken place with:

  • Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover)
  • Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Oshkosh)
  • Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha)
  • Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau)
  • Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) 
  • Rep. Nick Milroy (D-Superior)
  • Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay)
  • Rep. Mark Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls)
  • Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh)
  • Rep. Ted Zigmunt (D-Francis Creek)

►State Senate to meet next week
The State Senate will meet in floor session on Tuesday, February 10.  Among the bills to be taken up is SJR 8 creating a February 17 floor period and extending the deadline for the Governor’s budget message to that date.  See tentative agenda.

► January 29 – Fiscal Bureau Releases Latest Revenue Numbers
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau released general fund revenue and expenditures showing a deficit in the current fiscal year of $593.8 million. The report concluded a decline in the economic indicators shows for the three-year period of 2008-09 and 2009-2011 will result in general fund tax collections $342.4 million less than estimated by the Dept of Revenue on November 20. ($267.1 million lower in 08-09; $60.1 million lower in 09-10; and, $15.2 million in 10-11). The LFB said the primary reason for the reduction is lower corporate income tax collections of $322.3 million over the three-year period.

The Nov. 20 report showed a General Fund ending balance for the 08-09 fiscal year minus-281.2 million and a net balance (after adding the $65 million statutory balance) of minus-346.2 million.  The latest LFB analysis increases that net balance to $593.8 million.  There are significant shortfalls noted in three areas: Medical Assistance, $133 million; Dept of Children and Families’ appropriations, $40.1 million; and Corrections, $21 million. In addition, the State Public Defender expects a $5.9 million shortfall.

DOA Secretary Michael Morgan had previously indicated that the Governor would address the fiscal year 2008-09 deficit as part of the 2009-11 budget legislation. The LFB memo is available online. 

► Profile of the 2009 Wisconsin Legislature
This brief, published by the Legislative Reference Bureau, profiles the members of the 2009 Wisconsin Legislature. It includes information about party affiliation, marital status, legislative experience, occupation, gender, age, educational background, and military service.

 

FEDERAL UPDATE

► Federal Stimulus Bill Update
Last week, the House of Representatives approved its version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 by a 244-188 vote.  Wisconsin’s delegation voted along party lines with Democrats Baldwin, Kagen, Kind, Moore and Obey supporting, and Republicans Petri, Ryan and Sensenbrenner opposing. 

The Senate is currently debating its version.  The Senate will need both Democrats and Republicans to pass its version, with moderates seeking to shave spending off the $900 billion, ten-year package.  Congressional leadership and the President hope to have the legislation passed and sent to the President for signature by President’s Day, February 16.

Last month, President Reilly sent a letter requesting federal support for higher education to Congressman Dave Obey along with the list of Federal Stimulus Projects.  Additionally, Regent President Mark J. Bradley and System President Kevin P. Reilly issued a press release in support of the House legislation.

► You’re invited to the National Science Foundation Day Workshop
The National Science Foundation (NSF), the UW System, and UW-Milwaukee will be holding a one-day workshop on Friday, March 6, 2009, at UW-Milwaukee.  This workshop is primarily designed for researchers and educators less experienced with the NSF; however, more experienced proposers and NSF grantees may also find the workshop useful and informative.  For more information please see the letter of invitation from Jeff Nesbit, Director of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs at the National Science Foundation, and the NSF Day Workshop website.

► February 3 – House Approves Legislation to Establish National Campus Safety Center
The House voted unanimously to establish a National Center for Campus Public Safety to help colleges and universities respond to the security challenges of the 21st Century. The CAMPUS Safety Act of 2009 (H.R. 748) will now go to the Senate for consideration.

► January 20 – Arne Duncan Confirmed as Secretary of Education
Shortly after the President’s inauguration, Arne Duncan was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the 9th Secretary of Education (see news coverage courtesy of Reuters).   Earlier in the month Duncan appeared before the Senate HELP Committee and was warmly received by both Democratic and Republican members.  His testimony and video of the hearing are available on the Senate HELP Committee website.  See also news coverage by the Chicago Tribune and Education Week.

► January 9 – E-Verify Rule Implementation Delayed
The implementation of the final E-Verify rule has been postponed until February 20, 2009.  It would have previously taken effect as of January 15, 2009. 

This rule applies to contracts, not grants, over $100,000.  In addition, this rule also applies to subcontracts over $3,000, however only if the prime contract includes the E-Verify clause.  There is an exemption for Higher Education – the final rule modifies the contract clause so that institutions of higher education need only verify employees assigned to a covered federal contract.  For more information please see the summary provided by the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

► Higher Education Opportunity Act Summary
In December 2008, the Department of Education released a 219-page letter summarizing most of the provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act.  The package describes the HEOA’s amendments to the Higher Education Act as well as to other laws and also describes non-institutional studies, reports, and summits required by the new law.  The summary is designed to assist institutions in understanding the many changes made to the Higher Education Act by the new law and does not change any requirements in the law.

AROUND WISCONSIN

► “Around Wisconsin” features items relating to exciting progress on campus or examples of strong relations with the community and policy makers. Please send items of interest to externalrelations@uwsa.edu.

  • UW-Eau Claire:  The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire was named as one of The Princeton Review's top 100 "Best Value Colleges for 2009" in the United States.
  • UW-La Crosse:  For the 19th year, the UW-La Crosse Foundation and Alumni Association hosted a reception for UWL graduates who work in state government in Madison.  Prominent guests at this year's event include:  UW System President Kevin Reilly, Regents Brent Smith and Jeff Bartell, Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, former Regent Bill Gerrard, Representatives Shilling, Huebsch, Nerison, Danou, and Senators Kapanke, Hanson and former Senator Brian Rude, along with legislative staff who are also graduates.
  • UW-Platteville:  Students in the Business Communications class at the UW-Platteville are serving their community through the Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement (PACCE).
  • UW-Stout:  Julie Furst-Bowe, UW-Stout Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, has been selected to participate in an External Review Panel that will examine the Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb  
17 Governor presents 2009-2011 budget proposal to the State Legislature
18 Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee Informational Hearing on UW System (details to follow).
25 Leg. Liaison/PIO Face-to-Face meeting in Madison (Rescheduled from 2/18)
Mar  
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 the National Science 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  
1-2 UW Law Days, a symposium on legal issues and new legal developments in areas of interest to university administrators.
22 UW System Administration hosts Posters in the Rotunda: A Celebration of Undergraduate Research at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
May  
7-8 Board of Regents hosted by UW-Milwaukee.

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