UW System Home > Offices > Government Relations > Legislative Update

Government Relations

Legislative Update

March 26, 2004

Legislative Update Archive | Search Legislative Update

Legislative Session

(NOTE: The Senate completed its actions in Extraordinary Session in a brief floor session Thursday morning and then adjourned the Extraordinary Session pursuant to SJR-1, the biennial scheduling resolution. The next scheduled session of the Legislature is April 27-29. That is a limited business floor period. Sen. Panzer said that session will include at least one negotiated contract with state employees, possibly some appointment and bills prepared by the Revisor of Statutes.)

Bills passed by the Senate with Assembly Amendments

SB-474. Changes to 2003-05 authorized state building program (UW projects enumeration). Assembly Am. 1 pending. Assembly Am. 1 adopted, voice vote. Messaged.

(NOTE: One of the major projects in this bill is the Hunt Arena and Knowles Physical Education and Recreation Center addition and renovation at UW-River Falls. This project, and the total enumeration package, was enthusiastically championed by UW-River Falls Chancellor Ann Lydecker, who died tragically in a car accident on Thursday. Chancellor Lydecker advocated passionately on this legislation and innumerable other issues to better the campus and the community – see below.)

Bills passed and sent to the Governor:

AB-207. Banning smoking in and around University of Wisconsin System residence halls and dormitories and provides a penalty.
SB-253. Allows four more UW institutions to charter K-12 schools with BOR approval.
SR-32. Urges the members of the U.S. Congress from this state, Wisconsin state legislature, executive branch, judicial system, county governments, city governments, village governments, town governments, University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin technical college system, and public school districts to work on securing more federal funds for the residents of Wisconsin.
AB-830/SB-437. Funding for engineering instruction at the UW-Rock County campus.
AB-869/SB-513. Exemption from non-resident tuition within the UW System for certain veterans.

Other News

UW-River Falls Chancellor Ann Lydecker was killed in a car accident Thursday, March 25. UW System President Katharine Lyall expressed her sympathies on behalf of the UW System family to Ann's husband Bill, her son and her grandchildren. Lyall’s statement may be found at http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2004/r040325.htm.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 29, in the Karges Gymnasium at UW-River Falls. More information is available on the UW-River Falls website at:
http://www.uwrf.edu/annlydecker/.

Reactions (a sampling from elected officials)

“Ann Lydecker’s vision for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls was inspirational, and her influence will last longer than her time at the University. She not only made an impact at River Falls, but throughout our state’s educational system. Although her work was demanding, she made it look easy through her strong work ethic and leadership ability. She was inventive, driven, goal-oriented, and inspirational. Wisconsin will miss her greatly.” – Governor Jim Doyle

“Ann had a contagious enthusiasm and passion for her work. Her leadership at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and her involvement in the community will be greatly missed. Her contributions will live on. River Falls has lost a great advocate, and Wisconsin has lost a dynamic leader in higher education.” – Senator Sheila Harsdorf

“Chancellor Ann Lydecker was a woman whose passion for the betterment of the University of Wisconsin–River Falls was surpassed only by her devotion to her family, her friends, her faculty, her students and her community. I am certain that she will be remembered not only for her triumphs within the university system, but also for her compassion and her selflessness. Wisconsin has lost a true and admirable leader, and I will miss her dearly.” – Rep. Joe Plouff

“She was the perfect fit for that campus, down to earth, honest, and the aspect about her that I will always remember is her unwavering commitment to the students. This loss will weigh heavily on all those who knew her and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time.” – Rep. Rob Kreibich

“She has worked tirelessly on projects that have helped to not only strengthen the university and the River Falls community, but also our state. Her passion for UW-River Falls and her contributions to Wisconsin will not be forgotten.” – Rep. Mark Pettis

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced Wednesday that her office will not take any action related to the past practice of the UW Board of Regents holding informal telephone calls but urged the board to discontinue the practice.

See a statement from Regent President Toby Marcovich about the decision: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2004/r040324.htm

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin met on March 23 in her Washington, D.C. office with students and staff representing WAEOPP (Wisconsin Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel) to talk about TRIO ―federal educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Rep. Larry Balow, D-Eau Claire, announced this week he will not run for re-election this fall. Balow, who is serving his third term, says he plans to spend more time with his family. GOP businessman Terry Moulton, who came within a few hundred votes of winning a seat in the state Assembly in 2002, announced his candidacy for the seat, as did Joe Bee Xiong, executive director of the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association.

Democrat Tom Nelson of Little Chute plans to run for the 5th Assembly District seat currently held by Republican Becky Weber of Green Bay, who will be seeking her second term. Nelson is completing graduate work at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Democrat Gail Frie, Vernon County solid waste and recycling manager, announced that he will run for the seat being vacated by GOP Rep. DuWayne Johnsrud.

End Note

A summary of Legislative action on all bills affecting the UW System will be prepared following adjournment. The Legislature is due back April 27-29 for a limited business session and May 11-13 for a veto session. An extraordinary session may be added to either of these calendars, or later in the spring, to address AJR-55 (TABOR) and other issues.

For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464 or Doug Bradley at (608) 262-4463