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Capitol Capsules

November 16, 1999

Capitol Capsules

Fighting ‘brain drain’
A recent hearing on how to attract and keep knowledge workers in Wisconsin drew some ideas from UW System officials.

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David J. Ward testified, at the invitation of committee chair Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire), at the hearing in Milwaukee.

Ward’s presentation, “Brain-Gain Jobs for Wisconsin,” emphasized the “critical importance of brain power to the future prosperity of our state.” Ward shared five ideas for boosting the educational attainment and income level of Wisconsin:

  • Build on the higher education research and knowledge base in the I-94 corridor between Madison and Milwaukee, levering the assets of UW–Madison, UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, and the Medical College of Wisconsin and concentrating on high-technology job development.
  • Grow a first-stage venture capital capacity in Wisconsin to invest in promising high-technology start-up firms.
  • Take advantage of the state’s excellent schools, low crime rate and other quality of life factors in attracting knowledge workers to Wisconsin.
  • Grow Wisconsin’s “brain power base” by getting aggressive in reaching out to people within Wisconsin who already have some college credits and need encouragement and incentives to complete their degrees.
  • Exploit the state’s education and research base to create an “education and research industry that will produce high-income jobs and the knowledge base necessary to compete in a knowledge-driven economy.”

Legislature adjourns
Both houses of the Legislature finished up the November floor period last week and adjourned until Jan. 25.

Among the bills that have passed both houses of the Legislature and are pending action by the governor are the following of interest to UW–Madison:

  • Assembly Bill 495: Retirement benefits changes.
  • Assembly Bill 584: Wisconsin Retirement System death benefits (AB 495 trailer bill)

Governor Tommy Thompson is expected to take action on these bills by the middle of December.

Upcoming hearings

  • Today, Nov. 17, the Senate Committee on Education will discuss major changes to teacher preparation and licensing rules that were recently proposed by the Department of Public Instruction. The hearing will be in 411 South, state Capitol, beginning at 10 a.m. Representatives from the UW System and schools of education are expected to testify at the hearing. Information on the proposed changes is available on the Web at: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsis/tel/newrules.html.
  • Thursday, Nov. 18, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will present information on accreditation issues related to the Wisconsin Animal Health Lab to the Senate and Assembly agriculture committees. The hearing begins at 12:30 p.m., 417 South, state Capitol.

For more information
The university’s state relations staff works to raise awareness of the value and impact of UW–Madison on Wisconsin and improve the relationship between the university and state government leaders. Information: Charles B. Hoslet, hoslet@mail.bascom.wisc.edu; 263-5510 or visit the State Relations Web site.