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Legislative Update

July 2, 2004

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Supplemental Utilities Funds 13.10 Request

On Wednesday, June 30, in a strong display of bipartisan support, the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) unanimously approved (by a vote of 15-0) a UW System request to transfer FY05 spending authority in the amount of $10.7 million to FY04 to cover the GPR share of our FY04 utility shortfall. UW System expects to distribute the fee share of the shortfall ($1.4 million) to campuses based upon the proportionate share of utility expenditures.

During its discussion of the request, the Joint Finance members questioned the model that DOA uses to estimate energy costs. Addressing staff of the Department of Administration, Rep. David Ward (R-Fort Atkinson) asserted that, “We need a better way to deal with this [utility costs].” Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson) asked how closely DOA officials have worked with UW System in estimating energy costs for each fiscal year and whether DOA took into consideration the additional 800,000 square feet the university has added recently. State Budget Director David Schmiedcke indicated that the DOA and UW System will continue to work even more closely together to develop a more effective model to predict future energy costs.

While Sen. Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) agreed that continued cooperation was necessary to solve this problem, he noted that DOA and the UW System should begin to examine utility costs from a 10-year model rather than a more traditional 3-year perspective. He asked that DOA and System return next January with a better model for estimating its energy costs and suggestions for funding alternatives.

Based upon the vote and the comments, it seems clear that legislators are searching for a long term solution to the utility budget shortfall rather than continued stop-gap solutions to the problem.

Please thank your local legislators for their support of our request.

Other News

Ken Berg, (R-Oconomowoc), announced his candidacy for the 38^th District Assembly seat, vacated by Rep. Steve Foti (R-Oconomowoc). Berg will be facing challengers Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Ron Counsell (R-Clayton).

George Meyers (L-Racine) has declared he will challenge Rep. Robert Turner (D-Racine) for the 61^st Assembly seat. Meyers previously ran against and lost to U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan for the 1^st District congressional seat in 2002.

Steve Trueblood of Janesville, a former legislative aide and an ordained minister, is scheduled to announce his candidacy today for the 44th Assembly District seat as an independent candidate. He is the sixth candidate to enter the race for the seat being vacated by Rep. Wayne Wood, (D-Janesville), after 28 years. The other candidates are Democrats Tom Brien, Kevin Murray and Mike Sheridan; Republican Ty Bollerud; and independent Charles Knipp.

Antigo Police Chief Bill Brandt has filed papers to run for the Assembly in the 35th District. Brandt is running as a Democrat. He joined the Antigo police force in 1981 as a patrol officer and became chief in 1998. The 35th District is currently represented by Republican Donald Friske.

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