Joint Committee on Legislative Organization (3, 2)
Jensen, Scott (Co-chair)
Foti, Steven
Ladwig, Bonnie
Black, Spencer *
Kreuser, James
Joint Legislative Council
Rhoades, Kitty (Co-chair)
Jensen, Scott
Foti, Steven
Freese, Stephen
Gard, John
Lehman, Michael
Stone, Jeff
Black, Spencer
Bock, Peter
Huber, Greg
Meyerhofer, Lee
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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Madison
May 9, 2001
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 April 2001.
On April 2, 2001 the Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund balance was -$8 thousand. This shortfall increased to -$13 thousand on April 11, 2001 and continued until April 12, 2001 when the balance reached $4 thousand. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On April 2, 2001 the Utility Public Benefits Fund balance was -$57 thousand. This shortfall increased to -$61 thousand on April 4, 2001 and continued until April 5, 2001 when the balance reached $2.41 million. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On April 2, 2001 the Wisconsin Lottery Fund balance was -$674 thousand. This shortfall increased to -$1.1 million on April 3, 2001, increased to -$2.24 million on April 5, 2001, and continued until April 6, 2001 when the balance reached $2.3 million. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On April 6, 2001 the Historical Society Trust Fund balance was -$2 thousand. This shortfall increased to -$38 thousand on April 20, 2001, to -$62 thousand on April 30, 2001, and continued into the month of May. As of the date of this letter, it has been resolved.
The Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund, Utility Public Benefits Fund, Wisconsin Lottery Fund, and Historical Society Trust 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.
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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
May 15, 2001
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of health care in Wisconsin's adult prisons, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In fiscal year (FY) 1999-2000, the Department of Corrections spent $37.2 million and employed 232.5 full-time equivalent medical professionals and other support staff to provide health care to approximately 14,900 adult inmates.
The Department currently receives as many as 1,000 requests for health services from inmates each working day, approximately 60 percent of which are for prescription refills. Staff also responded to 8,137 emergencies during FY 1999-2000. We found that approximately 5,000 inmates, or one-third of the population, suffer from at least one chronic illness, and we conclude that improvements are needed in the management of chronic illnesses, contract oversight, and mental health services.
The Governor's 2001-2003 Biennial Budget Proposal provides an additional $37.6 million in general purpose revenue and an additional 157.5 positions for prison health care, including $17.3 million and 118.0 positions for new institutions and facility expansions. We reviewed this proposal and several alternatives to determine whether costs associated with additional prison health care staff could be offset through management improvements or other changes. We found limited opportunities and significant challenges for reducing health care expenditures as costs for certain medical services and pharmaceuticals, which are not subject to the Department's control, continue to increase.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Corrections management and staff. The Department's response is Appendix 6.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
