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Legislative Update

May 28, 2004

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Legislative Session

After announcing a new TABOR proposal would be forthcoming, Speaker Gard has not released a bill prior to the Memorial Day weekend. If agreement can be reached on a draft of the bill, the Joint Committee on Finance is expected to hold at least one public hearing on the proposal before scheduling a session for a vote. The Legislature has the ability to call an extraordinary session and adopt a constitutional amendment as late as the end of July. However, as the weeks continue to pass, it becomes less likely that such as session will be called. Both UW-Madison (Chancellor Wiley) and UW System (Regent President Marcovich and President Lyall) communicated with the Legislature this week regarding TABOR.

Other News

Rep. Lorraine Seratti (R-Spread Eagle) has announced she will not seek re-election. Seratti has represented the 36^th Assembly District since 1992.

Hair salon and spa owner Dan Aude announced he will run against Rep. Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay) for the 88^th Assembly District. Aude is a former Brown County Board Supervisor.

Rep. Daniel LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) will seek another term as representative for the 59^th Assembly District. LeMahieu currently serves on a number of committees, including Urban and Local Affairs, Aging and Long-Term Care, Small Business and Rural Development.

The Chair of the Door County Democratic Party, Tom Herman of Egg Harbor, is running against Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) for the 1^st Assembly District. Herman previously ran for this seat in 2002.

Rep. Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria) announced his decision to seek reelection for the 47^th Assembly District. Hahn has served in the Assembly since 1990, and was previously on the Columbia County Board.

Democratic candidate for the 32^nd State Senate district, Brad Pfaff, held a listening session for district constituents on Wednesday. The event was attended by more than 25 people and is the first in a series of similar issue-oriented events.

Rep. Louis Molepske (D-Stevens Point) announced his candidacy for the 71^st Assembly District. Molepske won a July 2003 special election to replace former Rep. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), who was elected to the 24^th Senate District.

Rep. Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha) announced his bid for reelection to the 64^th Assembly District this week. Kreuser received a Bachelors and a Masters Degree from UW-Parkside and was first elected in 1993.

UW System Policies relating to Election Activities

Candidates and their volunteers will begin circulating nomination papers for the fall elections starting June 1. Please take time to review the election policies and procedures at the link below. If you have questions, please contact Margaret Lewis or Doug Bradley. Being actively involved in elections is encouraged, but not on state time or using state resources.

For more information, please see: http://www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/camprule.htm