March
26
, 2008
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number Date Approved
Senate Bill 294 Act 168
March 25
, 2008
Senate Bill 386 Act 170
March 25
, 2008
Respectfully submitted,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
March
26
, 2008
The Honorable, the Legislature:
Bill Number Act Number Publication Date
Senate Bill 234 Act 163
April 7
, 2008
Senate Bill 49 Act 165
April 7
, 2008
Senate Bill 413 Act 167
April 7
, 2008
Sincerely,
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 20, 2008
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have examined the Indian Gaming, Racing, and Charitable Gaming programs administered by the Division of Gaming in the Department of Administration, as required by s.
13.94(1)(eg), Wis. Stats. We have issued an unqualified opinion on the Division's budgetary financial schedules for the three-year period from fiscal year (FY) 2004-05 through FY 2006-07.
In September 2007, we issued Report 07-12, which was our biennial program evaluation of the Division of Gaming, as required by s.13.94(1)(eg), Wis. Stats. We will report on the Division's efforts to address recommendations made in that report during the next program evaluation, which is expected to be completed in 2009.
As shown in the financial schedules, the payments the Indian tribes made to the State were $27.4 million in FY 2004-05, $118.7 million in FY 2005-06, and $49.8 million in FY 2006-07. These amounts fluctuated in part because of the timing of payments received from tribal governments. However, payments have also been affected because compact disputes with several tribes remain unresolved.
Indian Gaming revenues that are not expended, encumbered, or distributed to other agencies based on statutory requirements are transferred to the State's General Fund as miscellaneous receipts available for legislative appropriation. Because Indian gaming payments to the State have fluctuated over the three-year period, the amounts transferred to the General Fund have also fluctuated and were $3.8 million in FY 2004-05, $88.9 million in FY 2005-06, and $22.1 million in FY 2006-07.
From FY 2004-05 through FY 2006-07, revenues generated from the Racing program have declined as another racetrack closed during FY 2005-06, while bingo revenues have remained relatively stable. In total during the three-year period, these sources provided nearly $2.0 million to the Lottery Fund for property tax relief.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Administration's Division of Gaming.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor