{"id":6345,"date":"2014-03-07T08:24:41","date_gmt":"2014-03-07T14:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/profs.wisc.edu\/?p=6345"},"modified":"2014-03-07T08:24:41","modified_gmt":"2014-03-07T14:24:41","slug":"legislative-update-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/profs.wisc.edu\/?p=6345","title":{"rendered":"Legislative Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The Legislature remains in session until April 3, and both houses have been meeting to wrap up pending legislation before the summer recess.<\/p>\n

Legislation (SB 578<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0AB 729<\/a>) allowing classified research on University of Wisconsin System campuses passed<\/a> the assembly last month and public hearing was held<\/a> in the senate earlier this week. A vote on the bill has not been scheduled. PROFS is registered<\/a> in favor of the bill and offered this statement<\/a>\u00a0to the Senate Universities and Technical Colleges committee on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Several controversial proposals are under discussion:<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 655<\/a>, legislation that would make many changes to campaign finance and lobbying laws. The bill would lengthen the amount of time each year that lobbyist can make political contributions and allow lobbyists to deliver campaign contributions to legislators anytime during the year.<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 619<\/a>, legislation that would stop the implementation of Common Core Standards in the state.<\/p>\n

Assembly Bill 750<\/a>, legislation that would forbid local living wage ordinances when state and federal money is used for workers\u2019 salaries. Dane County, Madison, and Milwaukee all have living wage ordinances. The bill would also bar residency requirements for workers on public works projects.<\/p>\n

The Assembly Republican \u00a0caucus met earlier this week to remove<\/a> Representative Bill Kraemer of Waukesha from his post as Majority Leader after allegations of misconduct became public. The caucus selected Representative Pat Strachota (R-West Bend) to serve as majority leader, the first woman to hold the position in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

Several legislators have announced they will retire at the end of their term or pursue higher office. The following senators have announced they will retire at the end of their term:<\/p>\n