Committee on Colleges and Universities Action
As you know, I chair the Colleges and Universities Committee which has continued to be active the past few weeks, holding two hearings, including an Executive Session on Tuesday Morning. The Executive Session we held took up four bills. The first bill addresses Demonstration Charter Schools (AB 818), the second bill gives more access to non tenured faculty to be able to serve in leadership roles within the University (AB 757), the third bill eliminates discriminatory practices within the UW System (AB 669), and finally the fourth bill we voted on places a priority on merit during the UW Madison Admissions process (AB 1005).
Session Week Wrapup
This week the Assembly held two session days and voted on over 70 different pieces of legislation. The Assembly is expected to end it’s spring session next week, so there is a lot of action on the floor.
One of the most important bills we passed this week was Assembly Bill 501, which would make important improvements to Wisconsin universities and technical colleges. Earlier this session AB 501 passed through my Committee on Colleges and Universities. AB 501 ensures that our campuses are spaces that foster open dialogue and academic freedom. During the public hearing we heard from students about free speech violations on campus and the challenges they have faced with expressing their ideas openly. This bill addresses this important issue and I am proud of the Assembly for standing up for free speech.
Other notable bills we passed include a bill to strengthen protections for minors injured by a gender transition procedure (AB 400), and a bill to strengthen mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse (AB 412). We also passed a bill granting a sales tax exemption for nuclear fusion projects (AB 657) that will allow Wisconsin to compete for projects with lower energy costs. Finally I would highlight that several bills that passed through the Colleges and Universities Committee were voted on by the full Assembly. Notably AB 545 that limits fees for online courses, as well as three bills from the earlier section of this newsletter (AB 757), (AB 669), and (AB 1005).
Madison Meeting
On Wednesday I had a meeting with the leadership of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities known as WAICU. President Eric Fulcomer and Vice President Rebecca Larson stopped by the office. We discussed upcoming legislation that will be in my committee going forward. Thank you Eric and Rebecca for stopping by!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
