Capitol Capsules

JCOER OKs raises for UW
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations approved Oct. 21 the recommendations of Karen Timberlake, director of the Office of State Employment Relations, on the proposed 2003-05 compensation and benefit adjustments for UW System senior executives, faculty and academic staff. The committee approved a 0 percent increase for fiscal year 2003-04, and a 1 percent increase for 2004-05 for faculty and academic staff. Timberlake told the committee that final decisions were not made on how much of the 1 percent increase would be funded by the state compensation reserve and how much would be covered by university funds.

The committee approved Timberlake’s recommendation that no funding be provided for raises for executive salaries.

JCOER endorsed the same three-tiered schedule for health insurance approved for classified non-represented employees. It will cost employees who have at least a 50 percent contract $25 to $100 a month for single coverage and $62.50 to $250 a month for family coverage.

Regents address panel
Regent President Toby Markovich and Vice President David Walsh spoke before the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee Oct. 29 about Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager’s findings and settlement related to the investigation of open meetings by the Board of Regents. Representatives from the attorney general’s office were also invited to attend the meeting, but declined.

The committee voted on a substitute amendment to AB 532, which would have required that the Board of Regents limit senior executive salary increases to the average of salary increases for unclassified and classified university employees in the same year. The measure failed on a tie vote with two members absent.

Other committees consider university issues
In other legislative hearing activity last week, the Assembly Government Operations and Spending Limitations Committee met to hear testimony on AB 95, which would allow certain individuals who are not legal permanent residents of the United States to pay resident tuition. The committee did not vote on the bill.

The Senate Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs and Government Reform Committee heard testimony on SB 268, which would provide an education tax credit for businesses that pay tuition for employees. Charles Hoslet, managing director of the Office of Corporate Relations, spoke in favor of the bill on behalf of UW–Madison. The committee did not vote on the bill.

Assembly to take up concealed-weapon bill
The full Wisconsin Assembly is scheduled to take up SB 214, which would permit some people to carry concealed weapons, on Nov. 5. The bill was amended to exempt university buildings from the places where concealed weapons can be carried, but does not exempt university lands. The bill is expected to pass the Assembly and be sent to Gov. Jim Doyle for his signature or veto. Doyle has indicated he will veto the bill; the Legislature is expected to attempt to override the veto.

The Assembly is also expected to take up AB 609 on Nov. 5, which would fully restore tuition grants for persons serving in the National Guard, reversing changes that were made to the program in the 2003-05 biennial budget.

The text and history of all legislation is available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/billtext.html.

For information on state-related issues, visit http://www.staterelations.wisc.edu or contact Kristi Thorson, assistant director of State Relations, 263-5510, staterelations@bascom.wisc.edu.