Please feel free to contact me at (414-456-8217 if you have any questions of would like additional information.
Sincerely,
Kathryn A. Kuhn
Director of Government Affairs
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
October 13, 2006
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System's personnel policies and practices, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In September 2005, UW System had approximately 42,000 employees, including 28,100 unclassified staff who are primarily administrative, professional, and research personnel, senior administrators, and faculty.
We found that UW System's unclassified staff, and particularly faculty, reported using considerably less sick leave use than other UW System employees. For example, in 2005, 45.2 percent of all UW System employees who earned sick leave reported using none. During the same period, 77.1 percent of faculty reported no sick leave use. Accumulated unused sick leave is converted at retirement to credits that can help pay for health insurance. UW System employees who retired in 2005 converted an average of $112,000, and faculty converted an average of $222,100. We include a recommendation for the Board of Regents to consider modifying how sick leave use is reported within UW System.
UW System employees who are limited appointees serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority. In the past, limited appointees could move from their limited appointments to back-up positions. As of December 2005, 1,088 limited appointees held back-up positions. The number of position titles designated as limited appointments has been reduced by the Board of Regents, but its policies allow exceptions. To ensure their proper application, we include a recommendation for the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature on both the additional position titles UW System has designated as limited appointments and the job protections available to those who hold them.
"Consultant" is a position title for certain UW System employees. System policies do not limit salaries paid to unclassified consultants who are unclassified staff. We found instances in which consultants' salaries exceeded the pay ranges for positions with similar responsibilities. We include a recommendation for UW System to report more complete information on all of its consultants, including the duration of their employment.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff throughout UW System. A response from the UW System President follows the appendices.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
October 17, 2006
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2005-2006 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Cullen, Lee Johnson Controls Inc
Leonard, Ramie Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs Association
McIntosh, Forbes Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs Association
Pawlisch, Curt Johnson Controls Inc
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
R. Roth Judd
Executive Director
