Government Relations

Legislative Update

December 14, 2007

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STATE UPDATE

State Legislation Update

Work Continues on Unclassified Pay Plan

On November 27 the legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER) unanimously approved a 2007-09 pay plan for non-represented state employees and UW System faculty and academic staff. The plan provides for a 2.0% increase effective July 1, 2007, an additional 2.0% increase in July 2008, and a 1.0% increase in April 2009. At that hearing, Jennifer Donnelly, director of the Office of State Employment Relations, acknowledged the need to work toward a better compensation package to “keep faculty and other instructional and research staff in our Wisconsin classrooms and labs.”

Citing the Board of Regents’ original proposal for 5.23% annual increases for all UW System faculty and academic staff, UW System President Kevin Reilly continues to advocate for competitive wages that will ease recruiting and retention pressures across all 15 institutions. 

Recent Legislative Activity

December 3 – Senate Judiciary, Corrections and Housing Committee held a public hearing on AB 8, which prohibits the capture of nude or partially nude persons in a locker room and requires written policies on privacy.

December 4 – Assembly Education Committee held an executive session on AB 327, which eliminates the Youth Options Program mandate and instead authorizes a school district to establish its own youth options program. The Committee adopted one amendment and passed the bill as recommended.

December 4 – Assembly Committee on Ways and Means unanimously passed AB559, creating an income and franchise tax credit for purchase of season admission to athletic events sponsored by certain institutions of higher education. This legislation has been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance.

December 5 – Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education held an executive session to consider three bills, and unanimously passed each one.

The following bills were reported out of Committee: SB 155, relating to a loan forgiveness program for veterinary students attending the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and who choose to enter into food animal practice. SB168, to determine eligibility for academic excellence higher education scholarships. Committee adopted one amendment. SB 291, trailer legislation for the UW System tuition gift certificate program.

December 5 – Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy held an executive session on AB 67, relating to creating an education tax credit for businesses. Adopted one amendment and passed.

December 7 – Senate Health, Human Services, Insurance, and Job Creation passed SB 310, relating to anatomical gifts.

Upcoming Legislative Activity

December 17 – The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. in the President’s Room, UW-Eau Claire Davies Center, 102 Roosevelt Ave, Eau Claire on SB-353 which was introduced this week by Sen. Dave Hansen relating to collective bargaining process for UW System faculty and academic staff.

Remaining Legislative Schedule

  • Jan 15 to 31, 2008 (Tu − Th) Floor period
  • Feb 19 to March 13, 2008 (Tu − Th) Last general-business floor period
  • April 3, 2008 (Thursday) Bills sent to Governor
  • May 6 to 8, 2008 (Tu − Th) Limited-business floor period
  • May 15, 2008 (Thursday) Bills sent to Governor
  • May 27 and 28, 2008 (Tu − W) Veto review floor period

Legislation Introduced or Added Since Last Update

December 4 – Representative Murtha has introduced AB 609 to increase appropriation for nanoscience positions and equipment at UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, and Chippewa Valley Technical College. This is a companion bill to SB 333, introduced by Sen. Ted Kanavas in the Senate. This legislation has been referred to the Committee on Jobs and the Economy.

December 11 – The Law Revision Committee has introduced AB 619 regarding use of the universal service fund to pay BadgerNet Converged Network (BCN) service providers for telecommunications services provided by DOA to any campus of the UW System.  The bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities.

Also, Rep. Jeff Smith and Rep. Kim Hixson have offered for co-sponsorship LRB-3119/1, relating to creating a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for interest paid on certain student loans.

*Please note that several new UW System legislative bill positions that have been approved by the UW System Board of Regents, and are now posted on the web.  View bill positions.

FEDERAL UPDATE

House and Senate Democrats continue to negotiate with congressional Republicans and the White House over FY 2008 appropriations. Out of 12 annual spending bills, Congress has so far completed only one, the Department of Defense. The rest of the federal government is currently operating under a stopgap spending measure—known as a continuing resolution (CR)—which Congress extended yesterday and is set to expire Dec. 21. 

Next week we are likely to see action on a single, year-end appropriations measure that would bundle the 11 remaining FY 2008 spending bills into one omnibus measure to complete the year. Funding for Iraq and Afghanistan remains a sticking point between Democrats and Republicans. In the end, most observers believe Congress will agree to the President's demand that money for the military actions be approved in full without any strings.

Earlier President Bush vetoed the FY 2008 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending bill sent to him by Congress last month because the $150.7 billion bill (H.R. 3043) was $9.8 billion above his request—and he has consistently refused to negotiate spending above the limit. This bill remains the largest of the 11 spending bills that will be folded into the year-end omnibus package, but it is unclear at this time what the negotiations hold for the federal student aid programs or scientific research.

Much effort was expended this week by House Appropriations Committee Chair David Obey (D-WI) to develop a bill that split the difference between White House and congressional spending levels. However, under the threat of another veto, that effort was jettisoned. The expectation now is that the bill is being crafted with the Administration's budget numbers, but guided by congressional budget priorities.

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As you know, the Clinical Sciences Collaborative Gathering was held December 1, at La Crosse.  Despite the bad weather, the gathering was described as a huge success.  One attendee wrote, “I want you to know what a huge success Saturday’s collaborative gathering was for all of us in La Crosse. If the weather had matched our enthusiasm, it would have been 80 degrees and blue skies - just perfect.  Your assistance in bringing the discussion of collaborating through WiSys is deeply appreciated.”

See WiSys website with meeting presentations and participant list (including research interests, contact info).

UPCOMING EVENTS     

February  
7-8

UW System Board of Regents Meeting in Madison
March  
6 - 2008 Hold the Date!  Tentative plans call for UW Undergraduate Research Day (Posters in the Rotunda) and UW Spirit Day to be held in conjunction with the legislative session and the Regents’ meeting in Madison.

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