Government Relations
Legislative Update
May 2, 2003
Election Results
Special elections were held on Tuesday for the seats vacated by former Senators Kevin Shibilski and Richard Grobschmidt and Representative Antonio Riley. Democratic State Reps. Julie Lassa of Plover and Jeff Plale of South Milwaukee easily won election to the 24th and 7th Senate District seats, respectively. Democrat Lena Taylor of Milwaukee won the 18th Assembly District seat.
Joint Finance Committee Proceedings
This week, the Joint Finance Committee approved Gov. Jim Doyle's recommendation to eliminate the Department of Electronic Government and merge its function into the Department of Administration. In addition, the committee reduced the appropriation for the functions by $262,600.
Committee members also adopted the governor's position on limiting the increase for utilities payments for the Educational Communications Board (ECB).
The Joint Finance Committee has not yet taken up the University of Wisconsin System budget. However, there are a few other items not listed under the UW System that will have negative effects:
- Department of Administration (LFB Summary:
p.28 #2)
One item in the Department of Administration budget that will affect the UW System is a provision that removes the university's exemption from negotiating its own telecommunications systems. "Telecommunications" is defined as all services and facilities capable of transmitting, switching or receiving information in any form by wire, radio or other electronic means. This could impact the university's ability to efficiently operate information technology systems.
- Budget Management and Compensation Reserves (LFB
Summary: p.72 #3)
Surplus material is now sold directly by institutions through a university SWAP (Surplus With A Purpose) program. The proceeds from sales are returned to the campuses to buy needed equipment replacements. The governor's budget requires the proceeds now to be deposited in the budget stabilization fund.
For the Legislative Fiscal Bureau summary of the governor's budget,
click on:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/2003-05budget/Act33/tableofcontents.htm
For the Joint Finance Committee home page and schedule, click on:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/jfc.html
Upcoming Committee Hearing - State Employee Contracts
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations is scheduled to take up tentative 2001-03 state employee contracts at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 5 in Room 411 South, State Capitol.
Floor Session
The Assembly convened at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and passed on a voice vote AB-74, relating to tuition vouchers for students who sound Taps at military honors funerals.
The Assembly will convene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6. The Assembly will not be in session on Wednesday, May 7 or Thursday, May 8, unless objections dictate further action.
The Senate will convene on Tuesday, May 6. The calendar may include the state employee contracts, contingent upon the outcome of Monday's JCOER meeting.
New Legislation Circulating
Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire) is circulating for co-sponsorship a bill (LRB 2203/3) that would make convicted drug dealers ineligible for taxpayer-funded Wisconsin Higher Education Grants (WHEG grants). This bill has not yet been introduced.
Rep. Kreibich is also circulating for co-sponsorship a bill (LRB 1130/2) that would prohibit the UW System and private colleges from assigning students to dormitories or residence halls unless the students have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis or sign a waiver that they have been informed about the risks and effective vaccinations and choose not to have the vaccination.
Information on the Web
UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/
UW System Budget:
http://www.uwsa.edu/budplan/
Wisconsin Legislature on the Web
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/
Prepared by Kerry
Niemcek.
For further information contact Margaret
Lewis (608) 262-4464 or David
Miller (608) 262-4463