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Priscilla Thain, Newsletter Editor
Major legislation on which PROFS lobbied for the faculty is as follows:
Assembly Bill 499, prohibiting human cloning and parthenogenesis: This bill was passed by the Assembly and Senate but vetoed by the governor on November 3, 2005. No override was attempted. PROFS lobbied against this bill.
Assembly Bill 1130/Senate Bill 602, permitting stem cell research with state funds with an oversight board: PROFS supported this bill authored by local legislators Senator Mark Miller and Representative Terese Berceau. It died in the Joint Committee on Finance and received no further action.
Assembly Bill 763/Senate Bill 403, allowing the concealed carry of guns: PROFS opposed this bill that would have allowed concealed guns on campus grounds, although not in the buildings. The bill passed the Legislature, but was vetoed by the governor. An override attempt in the Assembly was unsuccessful.
As the Legislature was considering an override attempt, PROFS issued a press release saying the bill would make college campuses less safe. It stated that the faculty are especially troubled that SB 403 would allow concealed weapons on the grounds of college campuses surrounding buildings and on other university grounds where there are no buildings. The bill would make it easier to bring concealed weapons into a campus environment that can, at times, be highly charged with emotion. Faculty often deal with distraught students. Occasionally, these situations can get out of hand, as happened some years ago when a shooting occurred on the University of Iowa campus.
PROFS' position is consistent with a UW-Madison Faculty Senate resolution passed in December 2003. That resolution stated that the members of the Senate "categorically oppose any legislation that would permit the carrying of concealed weapons on any University of Wisconsin System property, including all of its buildings and grounds."
Assembly Bill 1147, permitting UW to refuse to employ or allow to terminate from employment an unpardoned felon: PROFS presented testimony to a Colleges and Universities hearing on May 2, 2006, stating, among other things, that this treats the UW differently than other state agencies. No action was taken.
Senate Bill 338, streamlining the start-up technology process: PROFS supported this bill that would eliminate the need for the attorney general's lengthy approval process for purchases under a $75,000 limit (over a 24-month period) by a UW researcher from a company he/she has an interest in. For contracts of $75,000 or over, the UW System must submit a contract to the Attorney General for review. The AG must complete the review within 30 days but may extend the review period by another 30 days upon providing written notice to the UW System. The governor signed the bill, which has a 5-year sunset, on May 19.
Senate Joint Resolution 53/Assembly Joint Resolution 67, defining marriage and legal status: SJR 53 was passed by the legislature in February 2006 and also in the previous legislative session. A constitutional amendment does not need the governor's signature. Since it was passed in two successive sessions, it now will be on the November ballot. Included in the language of the bill is the following statement: "A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state."
PROFS opposed this proposal because it is discriminatory and also because the above language could prohibit the extension of health insurance and other benefits to domestic partners. PROFS will continue to oppose this change to the constitution.
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