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Capitol Capsules

April 22, 2003

Capitol Capsules provides a quick overview of state government activities of interest to UW–Madison employees.

Legislators may consider state worker contracts
The co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Employment Relations said April 10 they will consider the 15 pending contracts for classified state employees if they have assurances from Gov. Jim Doyle and the Department of Employment Relations that there will be changes to health-insurance payments for state employees. JCOER rejected the contracts in February, saying the state could not afford them, given the $3.2 billion budget deficit. DER Secretary Karen Timberlake has accepted the co-chairs’ request to appear before JCOER and provide details about the governor’s plans to address how the state will control health-care costs for its employees. This briefing may be scheduled for late April.

Finance committee approves 2002-03 budget cuts
The Joint Committee on Finance held a hearing April 9 on the UW System plan to manage the $8.26 million cut included in the 2002-03 budget-adjustment bill that the Legislature approved in February. Senator Bob Welch, R-Red Granite, authored a modified plan to reallocate certain budget reductions:

  • Lowered the budget cut to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory by $19,700
  • Reduced the cuts to UW–Madison by $147,300, UW-Stevens Point by $29,000, UW-Stout by $61,680, UW-Superior by 53,450 and UW-Whitewater by $50,000.
  • Shifted both cuts to UW System administration.

The committee adopted the motion, 9-7. Doyle has until the end of the month to take action on the committee’s vote.

Finance committee completes public budget hearings
The Joint Committee on Finance finished its public hearings on the 2003-05 budget in Madison April 9. Chancellor John Wiley testified about the effect of proposed cuts on the campus and community. Representatives from the Academic Staff Public Representation Organization and Professional Representation Organization of the Faculty Senate also testified, as did several UW–Madison students.

The committee was scheduled to begin voting on the budget on Tuesday, April 22. Current plans call for three days of voting each week until the committee completes its work, expected in mid- to late May. The budget bill then goes to each house of the Legislature for approval.

Colleges and universities committee action
The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities met earlier this month and took action on the following bills:

  • Assembly Bill 66: Requires all persons admitted to the UW Medical School to take the Medical College Admission Test. UW Medical School Dean Phil Farrell testified in opposition to the bill, which failed to pass on a 6-6 vote.
  • Assembly Bill 207: Bans smoking in and around UW System residence halls. University Housing Director Paul Evans spoke for information only on this bill, which passed on a 10-2 vote.
  • Assembly Bill 208: Changes appointments of UW Regents. The committee did not vote on this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 209: Eligibility for tax deductions for college savings programs. The bill passed on a unanimous vote.