June 19, 2013

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UW officials address pay gap

June 10, 2013 By

University of Wisconsin System officials will ask state policy makers to include campus employees with any across the board pay raises of state workers. The Board of Regents also voted Friday to renew a request for autonomy in give pay increases to faculty and staff.

Lawmakers on the finance panel had cut out a proposal in the governor’s budget that would’ve allowed the board to give pay raises.

The compensation issue came up several times during the two-day regents meeting last week. System President Kevin Reilly says UW campuses need to be able to offer salaries that are competitive with schools in other states.

“The quality of a UW diploma is the product of UW people who teach and support UW students and that quality is being undermined because we are not closing that compensation gap.”

Anticipated changes within the UW System have been road blocked by lawmakers after it was discovered campuses were sitting on a surplus of hundreds of millions dollars.

 

Filed Under: Education, News

Citizens can sound off about deer plans

June 7, 2013 By

Wisconsinites concerned about changes to deer hunting can learn more about the state’s plans this weekend. The DNR has been working on ways to implement what Wisconsin’s former deer czar James Kroll suggested. Eric Lobner of the DNR says four action teams have been handling the proposals put forth in the Deer Trustee Report. They will be presenting be presenting at an all-day meeting Saturday at UW-Stevens Point.

“We are looking for this to be product that is created and developed by the public and really looking for feedback,” says Lobner who adds Kroll will also be in attendance.

The teams have focusing on general areas of deer seasons: hunting rules, chronic wasting disease and other deer health issues, and the new “D-MAP” deer management assistance program. They are expected to finish their work in late July.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, News

UW officials talk budget cuts

June 7, 2013 By

University of Wisconsin System Regents hear details about expected budget cuts. David Miller, head of the system’s fiscal affairs, said under Governor Walker’s proposal, campuses had unfunded liabilities of $47 million over two years; however, the legislature’s budget panel rejected Walker’s $181 million suggested increase and shaved off an additional $2.5 million. Lawmakers also ordered the UW to use its reserves to pay for $90 million in planned expenses.

Miller says, in total, the system is now facing $202.6 million in cuts and lapses. Some of that would’ve been offset by anticipated revenue from a proposed tuition hike, an increase that has since been frozen.

The cuts came after it was realized the system was sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars in reserves. The discovery led to a visceral response by some policy makers.

“They have their own issues,” said Jeffery Bartell one of several regents who urged better communication with those at the Capitol. “But it’s our job and our challenge and our responsibility to convince them that we are the solution.”

The full Legislature will take up the budget later this month.

 

Filed Under: Budget, Education, News

Bail bondsmen could return to state

June 5, 2013 By

Wisconsin eliminated the use of commercial bail bondsmen in 1979 but they could be making a return to the state. As part of a state budget package, the legislature’s finance panel voted early this morning to create such a system in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine and Dane Counties.

Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) is against the idea. “I can guarantee you, you never heard a sheriff or D.A. come say ‘let’s bring back the bail bondsmen,” said Richards while citing a letter in opposition from the Badger State Sheriff’s Association.

Opponents say these private recovery agents lack proper training. Richards said the pilot program could lead to a “wild west” type scenario. “I guess it’s the ‘wild west’ in 46 other states,” responded committee co-chair Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), citing the vast majority of other states allow bail bond agencies.

Under the state budget, which still needs approval by the full legislature, the five-county program would eventually be implemented statewide.

 

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Legislature, News

Eleventh hour push for BadgerCare expansion

June 4, 2013 By

Democratic state lawmakers and advocates gather for an eleventh hour push to urge the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to accept federal money meant to expand BadgerCare. The committee today is taking up a state budget proposal that would reject the Obamacare money.

“Every Midwest state around us has accepted the federal aid,” said Senator Nikiya Harris.

Governor Walker has expressed concerns of Wisconsin taxpayers being on-the-hook if Washington doesn’t keep its pledge to fund additional persons in the program.

A part-time worker at a domestic abuse home said most of its residents rely on BadgerCare. “Taking health care insurance away from these women and me will only make our lives harder,” said Fran Warner, a mother of two who is also a recipient of the Medicaid program.

The governor’s plan is to shift tens of thousands of BadgerCare recipients into the upcoming private health insurance exchanges.

AUDIO: Milwaukee resident Tammy Torres on why BadgerCare should be expanded (1:58)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Legislature, News
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