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Legislative Update

May 10, 2004

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Legislative Session

The Senate is scheduled to hold a Veto Review Session tomorrow (Tuesday, May 11) to consider the Revisor's bills (SB-557 through SB-564) and appointments by the Governor. In addition, the Senate may take up legislation that JCOER is expected to pass on Tuesday (see below). JCOER is expected to make adjustments to treat non-represented UW employees the same as other state employees relative to health insurance payments.

The Assembly will hold its Veto Review Session on Wednesday, May 19.

An extraordinary legislative session on health care is likewise planned for Wednesday, May 19, in both houses. The Medical Assistance bill, and two other health-care related bills, are among those being considered. A vote on a “property tax freeze” proposed by Speaker Gard may take place later this month in concert with a modified constitutional amendment to limit state spending.

Recent Committee Hearings

The Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee and the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee held a joint session on Thursday, May 6. UW System President Katharine C. Lyall, Regent President Toby Marcovich and Regent Guy Gottschalk updated both committees on the status of the “Charting a New Course for the UW System” study and the impact of budget cuts to the university. President Lyall also delivered a brief presentation on access, quality and financial aid during which she was joined by UW-Madison Dean Phil Certain and UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Don Mash. (NOTE: Click here to read the testimony delivered as well as a report on the hearing by UW System Vice President of University Relations Linda Weimer)

Following the UW System presentations, the two committees heard about the benefits of Wisconsin’s membership in the Midwest Higher Education Compact (MHEC) from MHEC representatives and from the United Council of UW Students regarding their 2005-07 budget priorities.

On Tuesday, May 4, the Joint Committee on Audit approved a request by Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) to audit the State Vehicle Fleet. According to the Legislative Audit Bureau, among the items the audit will address are:

An analysis of the number of vehicles owned and leased;
A review of how decisions to personally assign vehicles are made and monitored, including how agencies determine whether it is less costly to pay employees mileage for use of their own personal vehicles rather than to purchase state vehicles;
A determination of the extent to which state employees have reimbursed the State for personal mileage on state vehicles and whether existing policies appropriately limit the personal use of state vehicles.

Upcoming Committee Hearings

The Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER) will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11 in Room 412 East, State Capitol. Topics include:

Public hearing and possible executive action on recommendations of the Director of the Office of State Employment Relations (OSER) for modifications of the 2003-05 compensation and benefit adjustments for UW System senior executives, faculty and academic staff;
Public hearing and possible executive action on the 2003-05 tentative agreement between the state and the WSEU, AFSCME Council 24 professional social services collective bargaining unit;
Public hearing and possible executive action on recommendations of the OSER Director for modifications to the 2003-05 compensation plan for classified and certain unclassified employees;
Public hearing and possible executive action on recommendations of the OSER Director to assign division administrator positions to Executive Salary Groups.

Other News

Brad Pfaff of Onalaska will run in the Democratic primary for the State Senate's 32^nd District. Pfaff is a former staffer for Rep. Virgil Roberts, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl and U.S. Congressman Ron Kind. Pfaff will be opposed in a primary by teacher Monte Jacobson. Only one Republican has announced a bid for the seat thus far, Dan Kapanke of French Island. Sen. Mark Meyer of La Crosse currently holds the seat; he is not seeking re-election.

Rep. Johnnie Morris (D-Milwaukee) is a candidate for the State Senate's 4^th District, the seat being vacated by Sen. Gwen Moore, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 4^th Congressional District. Morris has served in the Assembly since 1992.

Dane County Clerk Joe Parisi is running for the 48^th Assembly District seat as a Democrat. The seat is currently held by Rep. Mark Miller, who is running for the 16^th Senate Seat held by Sen. Chuck Chvala. Parisi will be opposed by Amy Dixon and Gary Hebl in the Democratic primary.

Retired teacher and La Crosse County Supervisor Vicki Burke will again try to unseat Rep. Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) for the 94^th Assembly District. Burke lost to Huebsch in 2002. She is running against Mark Seitz in the Democrat primary.

Licensed practical nurse and child care provider Judy Schmirler is a candidate for the 96^th Assembly District being vacated by Rep. DuWayne Johnsrud (R-Eastman). Schmirler, a Republican, is from Westby.

The former mayor of Schofield, Sarah Kamke, is seeking the Republican nomination for the 85^th Assembly District. Current Rep. Greg Hubler was elected a circuit court judge in April. Marathon County Clerk of Courts Donna Seidel will run in the race as a Democrat.

James Genisio has withdrawn from the race against Rep. Gregg Underheim. Genisio, a Democrat, lost to Republican Underheim in 2002. Underheim is being challenged by Democrat Gordon Hintz, the son of former Oshkosh Mayor Stephen Hintz, and Green Party candidate and UW-Oshkosh professor Tony Palmeri in the race.