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Capitol Capsules

January 18, 2000

Capitol Capsules

Auditing bill advances
A measure (AB 432) that would allow free auditing of UW System and technical college system courses by persons 60 or older was unanimously endorsed, 10-0, Jan. 12 by the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee. The committee also acted on other items, such as:

  • Education tax credits for corporations (AB 244), approved 9-1.
  • Creation of an international baccalaureate diploma grant program (AB 592), approved 6-4.

To see the full text and history of legislation, visit: http://www.legis. state.wi.us/billtext.html.

JCOER to meet on pay plans
The Joint Committee on Employment Relations will meet Tuesday, Jan. 25, to consider some state employee pay plans, including the pay plan for UW faculty and staff. Recommendations will likely include a recommendation for a 5.2 percent pay plan increase for unclassified university staff. If the committee takes action on January 25, it is likely that 1999-2000 salary rates would appear first on the March payroll paid April 1. A separate check would be paid April 1 to reflect retroactive payments due for the July 1999 through February 2000 payrolls.

‘State of the State’ Jan. 26
Governor Thompson has asked the Legislature to meet in joint session at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, to deliver the State of the State message.

Legislature resumes
Both houses of the Legislature resume meeting Tuesday, Jan. 25. The Legislature is scheduled to finish up most business for the year by the end of March.

Funds released for students
The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has approved the UW System Board of Regents’ request to release $3.8 million for the enrollment of 1,000 additional students in 2000-01. In their request, the regents indicated that 850 of the students will be campus-based (300 at UW–Madison) and 150 would be enrolled via distance education. The governor had specified that $1 million of the funding be used to increase access to the UW System through distance learning. The committee also approved 67 new positions to accommodate the additional enrollment.

Legislation introduced
Savings measure: Rep. Rob Kreibich, D-Eau Claire, introduced legislation (AB 654) that makes changes to the current EdVest program and creates a new college savings program and board. The Colleges and Universities Committee unanimously advanced this bill Jan. 12.

Fund limits: Rep. Rick Skindrud, R-Mount Horeb, has introduced legislation (AB 626) that prohibits the expenditure of UW System funds, other than gifts, to send family and friends of faculty and staff and nonessential personnel to events such as conferences, seminars and competitions. The bill has been referred to the Committee on State Affairs.

Expanded health coverage: Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, introduced legislation (AB 609) that provides coverage for domestic partners under health care coverage plans and long-term policies offered by the group insurance board. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Insurance.

For more information
To learn more about state-related issues, contact Charles Hoslet, special assistant to the chancellor for state relations, 263-5510; hoslet@mail.bascom.wisc.edu. Or visit: http://www.news.wisc.edu/chancellor/staterelations