Wednesday, July 19, 2000
Ninety-Fourth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date:
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Relating to animal diseases, animal movement and livestock markets, dealers and truckers.
Submitted by Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Report received from Agency, July 5, 2000.
To committee on Agriculture.
Referred on July 19, 2000
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Relating to allowing the operation of double bottoms and certain other vehicles on certain specified highways.
Submitted by Department of Transportation.
Report received from Agency, July 3, 2000.
To committee on Transportation.
Referred on July 19, 2000
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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Madison
June 27, 2000
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
This report is transmitted as required by sec. 20.002(11)(f), Wis. Stats. (for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under sec. 13.172(3), Wis. Stats.), and confirms that the Department of Administration has found it necessary to exercise the "temporary reallocation of balances" authority provided by this section in order to meet payment responsibilities and cover resulting negative balances during the month of May 2000.
On May 1, 2000 the Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund balance was -$13 thousand. This shortfall increased to -$20 thousand on May 11, 2000, decreased to -$8 thousand on May 26, 2000 and continued into the month of June. As of the date of this letter, it is expected to be resolved soon. This shortfall is due to the timing of revenues.
On May 18, 2000 the Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection Fund balance was -$4.53 million. This shortfall continued until May 23, 2000 when the balance reached $12.15 million. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On May 1, 2000 the Wisconsin Lottery Fund balance was -$24.79 million. This shortfall decreased to -$16.64 million on May 12, 2000, to -$9.06 million on May 25, 2000, and to -$7.71 million on May 31, 2000. This shortfall continued until June 16, 2000 when the balance reached $1.36 million. This shortfall was due to a timing difference between the distribution of property tax credits and the receipt of Lottery revenues.
The Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund, Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection Fund, and Wisconsin Lottery Fund shortfalls were not in excess of the statutory interfund borrowing limitation and did not exceed the balances of the Funds available for interfund borrowing.
The distribution of interest earnings to investment pool participants is based on the average daily balance in the pool and each fund's share. Therefore, the monthly calculation by the State Controller's Office will automatically reflect the use of these temporary reallocations of balance authority.
Sincerely,
George Lightbourn
Secretary
Referred to committee on Ways and Means.
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
July 11, 2000
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
As directed by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, we have completed our evaluation of Wisconsin's Food Stamp Program, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. The program was created by the federal government in 1964 to assist low-income individuals and families in purchasing food. In January 2000, approximately 75 percent of those receiving program benefits in Wisconsin were either children, disabled, or over age 60.
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Under federal law, food stamps are an entitlement to those who meet both nonfinancial and financial eligibility requirements. Program benefits are almost entirely federally funded. In fiscal year (FY) 1998-99, benefit costs were $122.7 million; administrative costs, which are funded equally by the federal government and state general purpose revenue, totaled $45.0 million. Approximately 311,800 Wisconsin individuals participated in the program in FY 1998-99.
In July 1999, a federal report showed that as welfare reforms were implemented nationally, Food Stamp Program participation declined faster in Wisconsin than in any other state. Our analysis confirmed this decline. Based on the best available data, we estimate that from 1994 through 1998, the percentage of individuals living in poverty in Wisconsin who received food stamps declined from 97 to 70 percent. A number of factors are likely responsible for this trend, including the effects of Wisconsin Works and other welfare reform initiatives, more frequent recertification requirements for benefit recipients, additional work requirements for some food stamp recipients, and administrative problems in local agencies. As Food Stamp Program participation has declined, alternative food programs that provide nonperishable food and meals have reported increased demand for their services.
The Department and local agencies have undertaken a number of initiatives to improve program administration, including providing caseworkers with additional training, expanding the number of program application sites and the hours during which applications are taken, and working with alternative food programs to facilitate access to food stamp benefits. If the Legislature believes additional efforts to expand program services are appropriate, a number of other options could be exercised, but some would require changes in federal law.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Workforce Development and staff of the local agencies we visited. The Department's response is Appendix III.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
