Government Relations
Legislative Update
June 4, 2004
New Regents Appointed
Gov. Jim Doyle this week named two new members to the UW Board of Regents. Former Madison East High School principal Milt McPike of Mazomanie will succeed Regent Fred Mohs. Michael Falbo of Franklin will serve in place of Regent Gerard Randall, should Randall submit his resignation. Otherwise, Regent Randall serves until his successor is confirmed by the Senate. Falbo is president and CEO of State Financial Services Corporation and is a current member and former president of the UW-Parkside Benevolent Foundation Board of Directors.
Legislative Session
The Assembly Speaker's new Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) proposal had not been released as of Friday, but the details could be discussed in an Assembly Republican caucus the week of June 7. Senators are putting together a series of statutory changes to improve state budgeting which they are also expected to release next week. It is still to be determined whether a session will be called to vote on these proposals. UW-Fox Valley CEO and Dean Jim Perry participated in a press conference in Green Bay this week representing higher education concerns about the impact of TABOR and reduced state tax funding on maintaining enrollments.
UW-Extension is facilitating a statewide forum on TABOR next week, which will take place in nine locations on June 9. Find the location nearest you and plan to participate.
Budget News
Gov. Jim Doyle sent 2005-07 budget instructions to all state agencies last week. He has asked that the UW System and most agencies submit zero GPR increase budgets (except for cost-to-continue items). “These targets are necessary to address the excess spending of the past and ensure state government lives within its means," Doyle said in a cover letter.
Doyle also said most agencies will be required to submit plans to reduce all nonfederally funded state administrative operations appropriations by 10 percent.
Agency budget requests are due Sept. 15. For the cover letter and specific instructions to agencies, please contact the state Department of Administration.
Other News
Democrat State Rep. Dan Schooff of Beloit will not seek election to another term in the Assembly's 45th District. Schooff is a member of the Joint Finance Committee.
Green Bay Republican State Rep. Judy Krawczyk will seek her third term in the Assembly's 88th District this fall.
Republican Andy Lamb of Menomonie will challenge Democratic Rep. Joe Plouff for the 29th Assembly District this fall. Lamb is general sales manager of a Ford dealership in Menomonie and also raises beef cattle with his brother near Spring Valley.
Republican Rep. Steve Nass of Palmyra said this week he will seek another term representing the 31st Assembly District. He was first elected in 1990 and is currently chair of the Assembly Labor Committee.
Democratic Rep. Frank Boyle of Superior will seek his 10th term in the State Assembly's 73rd District this fall. He announced his candidacy last week. He will face former Douglas County Sheriff Richard Pukema in the Sept. 14 primary.
Democrat Dan Jardine of DeForest, son of former UW football coach John Jardine, will run for the Assembly's 47th District. The seat is currently held by Republican Eugene Hahn of Cambria. Jardine will face Megan Yost of Poynette in the Democratic primary in September. Hahn faces John S. Keating of Sun Prairie in the Republican primary.
Republican State Rep. Scott Gunderson announced this week he will run for re-election to the 83rd Assembly District.
Republican State Rep. Dan Vrakas of Hartland will seek another term in the Assembly's 33rd District this fall. Vrakas is currently the Republican Caucus Chair.
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/govrel/lupdate/camprule.htm
End Note
A brief summary of Legislative action on bills affecting the UW System is available at http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/lupdate/2004/u40920_files/u040514bill_actions.pdf.
For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464.
Information on the Web
UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/
UW System Budget:
http://www.uwsa.edu/budplan/
Wisconsin Legislature:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/