Legislative Update

Committee on Jobs, the Economy and Small Business

Representative Louis Molepske (D-Stevens Point), Chair of the Committee on Jobs, the Economy and Small Business held a public hearing regarding small business access to capital on Thursday, November 19. Gayle Kugler of the UW-Extension provided information to the committee on behalf of the UW System.

Please see the hearing notice for more information.

Rural GOP Legislators Unveil 2010 Job Creation Plan

Representatives Donald Friske (R-Merrill), Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River), Mary Williams (R-Medford), and Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) released a rural job creation agenda on Monday, November 16.  One of the components of their plan calls for the creation of a biofuels major at UW-Stevens Point.

Please see the press release for further details.

Fall Floor Wrap Up

The Wisconsin State Legislature wrapped up its fall floor session on November 5 and will resume on January 19, 2010.

Committees will be holding meetings and hearings in the interim periods. Please see the Wisconsin Legislature's Committee Schedule for more information.

As announced by Governor Doyle, a special session may be called to discuss legislation regarding mayoral control of the Milwaukee Public School District and other education related topics. Please check back for any updates.

C.O.R.E Jobs Act

Senate Democrats recently announced the Connecting, Opportunity, Research, and Entrepreneurship (C.O.R.E) Jobs Act, which seeks to create jobs in Wisconsin. Many of the recommendations used for this act were found in the UW System's Research to Jobs Report.

UW System Bill Position

UW System has posted the following bill position approved by the Board of Regents:

AB 549: Psychological Evaluations for Law Enforcement Officers.  This bill requires that a candidate for full-time law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer position must receive a psychological evaluation before being appointed.  UW System Position:  SUPPORT.  Bill History and Full Text: Assembly.

The State Legislature concludes the regular 2009 fall floor period on November 5th

A number of legislative actions were taken last week relating to
the UW System including:

Regent Appointments
The State Senate on a 31-1 vote confirmed the appointments of the
following UW Board of Regents: Regents Danae Davis,John Drew,
Michael Falbo, Kevin Opgenorth, Chuck Pruitt, David Walsh,
Aaron Wingad, and Betty Womack

Regent Composition

SB 223 (Lassa) requiring at least one citizen member of the Board
of Regents to reside in one of seven geographical areas of the state.
The requirement takes effect on January 1, 2012*. (*An
amendment to move the effective date up to 2012 from 2015
was adopted.)

See Regent bill position here

Longitudinal Data System

SB 371 requires UW System, DPI, WTCS, and WAICU to study
each other's education programs, requiring a written agreement
concerning such studies, and requiring the establishment of a
longitudinal data system of student data. This bill was passed by
both houses on 11/5/09 and now goes to the Governor for his
consideration.

See Regent bill position here

SB 223 and SB 371 were approved by both legislative houses on
11/5/09 and now go to the Governor for his consideration.

The next scheduled legislative regular floor period
is January 19-28, 2010.