Government Relations

Government Relations Legislative Update

Government Relations Legislative Update

Updates on state and federal issues relating to the UW System.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

New Budget Adjustment Bill/ Court ruling on Collective Bargaining bill

JFC approves a new budget adjustment bill
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) today debated and unanimously approved a new budget adjustment bill (AB 148).  The measure directs some of the state's projected $636 million in additional revenues over the next biennium to fund a number of state budgetary shortfalls.  Among the provisions is a transfer of $235 million to Wisconsin's Patients Compensation Fund to comply with a court-ordered payment, and an increase in Medical Assistance (MA) payments to capture additional matching federal monies. For more details, see Legislative Fiscal Bureau paper here.

Judge rules collective bargaining bill null and void
Earlier today, Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi ruled lawmakers violated Wisconsin's open meetings law when they voted on the Governor's collective bargaining bill earlier this year. Judge Sumi ruled the legislation null and void. See a copy of the court ruling here.  It's anticipated that legislative leaders may ask the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review that decision.