June Floor Action on Education Bills Unlikely
By John Forester(Don't Use) | June 24, 2011
Despite requests from the SAA, WASB and several education committee members, it appears almost certain that the Legislature will not take up several education bills before the current floor period ends on June 30th. The SAA supports floor action on three bills relating to: the administration of medication to students (AB 62), the revocation of a DPI license for immoral conduct (AB 71), and mandate relief and operational flexibility for school districts (SB 95). The fate of two other bills of concern to SAA members, relating to open enrollment expansion (SB 2) and independent charter school expansion (SB 22), remain in limbo as well.
Lawmakers are not scheduled to be on the floor again until September 13th.
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Florida Special Ed Voucher Program Spawns Fraud
By John Forester(Don't Use) | June 23, 2011
You may recall that the SAA strongly opposed Assembly Bill 110, relating to creation of a Wisconsin Special Education Voucher program. Proponents argue that it is modeled after a very successful Florida program.
The article from the Miami New Times linked below describes significant problems just being uncovered in the Florida program.
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Governor Walker to Sign Budget on Sunday
By John Forester(Don't Use) | June 23, 2011
Governor Scott Walker’s office has announced that he plans to sign the state budget on Sunday in Green Bay.
The ceremony is set for 2 p.m. at Badger Sheet Metal Works.
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Senate Approves Budget 19-14
By John Forester(Don't Use) | June 17, 2011
The Senate voted 19-14 (party lines) Thursday night to approve the budget without any changes to the Assembly version of the document, clearing the way for it to now head to the guv’s desk for his review.
Lawmakers debated almost nine hours on the legislation, turning back eight Dem amendments, including one to repeal the collective bargaining changes the Legislature approved in March, but had been held up by a court order until a Supreme Court ruling this week.
The SAA will forward to members additional information on the budget approved by the Legislature as it becomes available next week.
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Ellis Vows to Fix Voucher Provision
By John Forester(Don't Use) | June 16, 2011
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is now reporting the following:
Senate President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) said senators oppose the way the budget provision was drafted. He said the Senate would pass the budget Thursday as it is written, but then soon pass a separate bill that would ensure school vouchers are not expanded beyond Racine.
“Nobody agrees with the language that was inserted in there,” Ellis said. “We’re going to pass the damn thing the way it is and come back with a trailer bill.”
Ellis and Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie said the governor would sign the second bill. The governor also will not use his veto pen to expand choice statewide in the budget, they said.
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