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Legislative Update

April 9, 2004

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Legislative Session

The next scheduled session of the Legislature is April 27-29, a limited business floor period. Senator Majority Leader Mary Panzer (R-West Bend) has indicated that the session will include at least one negotiated contract with state employees, possibly some appointments and bills prepared by the Revisor of Statutes.

Bills signed into law by the Governor

Gov. Jim Doyle signed AB-869 this week. The measure exempts certain veterans from UW non-resident tuition.

Bills awaiting Governor's signature

AB-207. Bans 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 Board of Regents 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.
SB-474. Changes to 2003-05 authorized state building program (UW projects enumeration). Assembly Am. 1 pending. Assembly Am. 1 adopted, voice vote.

Other News

Former TV journalist and legislative aide Joel Kleefisch will run for the Republican nomination to replace Assembly Majority Leader Steve Foti. Kleefisch worked for Foti, who is not seeking re-election to the 38^th Assembly District.

Rep. Greg Huber (D-Wausau) was elected Marathon County Circuit Court Judge, Branch 2, in Tuesday's election. Gov. Jim Doyle is weighing the option of setting a special election for Huber’s 85^th Assembly district seat or allowing it to remain open until the November election.

Rep. Mike Powers (R-Albany) announced that he would not be seeking re-election to the Wisconsin Legislature. Powers was first elected in 1994.

The schedule for the five debates among the Republican primary candidates for U. S. Senator was announced this week. The dates are:

Thursday, April 15, 7-8 pm: St. Norbert College, De Pere.
Thursday, April 22, 7-8 pm: Holiday Inn East, Madison.
Monday, May 3, 7-8 pm: Radisson Hotel, Pewaukee.
Saturday, May 8, 2-3 pm: Ricky D's, Eau Claire.
Saturday, May 15, 2-3 pm: Radisson Hotel, La Crosse.

End Note

A brief summary of Legislative action on bills affecting the UW System will be available within the next two weeks. In addition to April 27-29, the Legislature will be back for a May 11-13 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.