Government Relations
Legislative Update
April 30, 2004
Legislative Session
A veto review session is scheduled for May 11-13. There are indications of attempts at veto overrides on a few bills, as well as the possibility of some activity on the Medicaid shortfall. After the May 11 veto review session, the Legislature may decide to call an extraordinary session to take up issues including the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) and health care.
Upcoming Committee Hearings
A joint meeting of the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee and the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 6 in 411-South, State Capitol. Agenda items include:
- An update on the UW Board of Regents Charting study by UW System President Lyall and several members of the Board;
- Brief presentations by President Lyall and UW institutional representatives on issues such as access, quality, financial aid, and budget cuts, as well as other issues or questions raised by committee members;
- A presentation on the benefits of Wisconsin’s membership in the Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC);
- A2005-07 budget priorities update by the United Council of Students.
The Joint Committee on Audit will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, in 411-South, State Capitol. Included on the agenda is a requested audit of the State Vehicle Fleet. Topics considered in such an audit might include vehicle procurement, mileage reporting, number and type of fleet vehicles, use of the vehicles and fleet management practices.
TABOR
Earlier this week Assembly Republicans held a closed caucus to discuss TABOR. Senate Republicans will caucus next week on TABOR, amid indications that the Senate is in favor of what is described as a “TABOR-lite” proposal – i.e., a constitutional amendment that might simply say that state expenditures cannot exceed revenues. Procedurally, the Legislature must act on language by August 1, 2004.
The UW Board of Regents has already passed a resolution opposing TABOR, as did the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. The Badger Action Network (BAN) communicated with its several thousand members about the issue earlier this week.
Other News
U. S. Vice President Dick Cheney is in Wisconsin today with appearances in Milwaukee and Wrightstown, where he will visit Coating Excellence International.
Democrat Gary Hebl of Sun Prairie will run for his brother’s (Rep. Tom Hebl) seat in the 46th Assembly District. Rep. Tom Hebl has announced his candidacy for the 16th Senate District seat currently held by Chuck Chvala (D-Madison)
End Note
A brief summary of Legislative action on bills affecting the UW System will be distributed soon.
For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464.
Information on the Web
UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/index.htm
UW System Budget:
http://www.wisconsin.edu/budget/
Wisconsin Legislature:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/