The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed the third in a series of analyses of the overtime costs of state agencies, which for the first time also includes the University of Wisconsin System. Our analysis focuses on premium overtime, which is typically earned by employees who staff facilities with 24-hour operations or address emergency needs. Premium overtime is typically paid at 1.5 times the employee's hourly rate for hours in excess of 40 per week.
From 2006 to 2010, state agencies paid a total of $297.5 million in premium overtime. After declining in 2009, premium overtime payments increased 2.5 percent in 2010. The Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) continue to account for the largest share of overtime costs. Both agencies' overtime payments increased from 2009 to 2010, although they declined over the five-year period we reviewed.
DOC and DHS have increasingly used surplus positions to control overtime costs and address staffing needs. Surplus positions are intended to be temporary, and statutes authorize their use when "necessary to maintain adequate staffing levels for high turnover classifications, in anticipation of attrition, to fill positions for which recruitment is difficult." However, we are concerned that the increased use of surplus positions for purposes or periods that may not have been intended by the Legislature has had the effect of circumventing statutory controls on position authority, and that existing reporting mechanisms may not provide sufficient information for the exercise of legislative oversight.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff of the Office of State Employment Relations, the Department of Administration, DOC, DHS, University of Wisconsin System Administration, and other agencies reviewed.
Sincerely,
Janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Government Accountability Board
May 19, 2011
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
S302
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2011-2012 session of the legislature, visit the Government Accountability Board's web site at
http://gab.wi.gov/.
Berlinski, Heather Wisconsin Credit Union
League
Berlinski, Heather Wisconsin Hospital
Association Inc (WHA)
Boyer, Amy Wal-Mart
Dupler, Marina Wisconsin Troopers
Association Inc
Engel, Andrew Wal-Mart
Fassbender, Robert I Wal-Mart
Gerrard, M William Allied Health of Wisconsin
SC
Hogan, Rebecca Wisconsin Manufacturers &
Commerce
Kerschensteiner, Kristin Disability Rights Wisconsin
Prince, Gingee Enhanced Capital Partners
LLC
Also available from the Wisconsin Government Accountability 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,
kevin kennedy
Director and General Counsel
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
May 19, 2011
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Jadin
, Paul,
of Green Bay, as Chief Executive Officer on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Authority, to serve for the term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
May 19, 2011
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Maxwell, David,
of Westby, as a member of the Kickapoo Reserve Management Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2013.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
__________________
Relating to radiography.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, May 20, 2011.
Referred to committee on Health,
May 23, 2011
.
Relating to requiring ethics courses and approval of continuing education programs.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, May 20, 2011.
Referred to committee on Health,
May 23, 2011
.
__________________
The committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education reports and recommends:
Relating to buttermaker license qualifications.
No action taken.
Relating to restricting the import of certain plants, wood and wood products to prevent the introduction of thousand cankers disease of walnut trees into this state.
No action taken.
Dan Kapanke
Chairperson
