Chairperson
__________________
Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Senator Hopper added as a coauthor of
Senate Joint Resolution 45
.
Pursuant to Senate Rule
17 (5), Representative Bies withdrawn as a cosponsor of
Senate Bill 66.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of Senator Vinehout
October 21, 2009
The Honorable, The Senate:
Unfortunately, recent knee surgery prevented me from being in Madison for session on Tuesday, October 20th.
Pursuant to Senate Rule
75, please have the Senate Journal reflect how I would have voted had I been present for the roll call votes taken on Tuesday, October 20, 2009:
Confirmation of the Appointments en masse: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 17: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 41: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 87: aye
Adoption of SA 1 to SSA 1 to Senate Bill 103: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 103: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 154: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 252: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 288: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 309: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 310: aye
Passage of Senate Bill 311: aye
Please contact me if you have any questions pertaining to this matter.
Sincerely,
kathleen vinehout
State Senator, 31st District
__________________
Government Accountability Board
October 20, 2009
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 2009-2010 session of the legislature, visit the Government Accountability Board's web site at:
Goyke, Gary R. Wisconsin Association of Public, Educational and Government
Access Channels, Inc.
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
Legislative Audit Bureau
October 22, 2009
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As required under s.
13.94(1)(dh), Wis. Stats., we have completed our annual financial audit of the Wisconsin Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP) Authority for 2008. The HIRSP Authority provides medical and prescription drug insurance for individuals who are unable to obtain coverage in the private market or who have lost employer-sponsored group health insurance. As of December 31, 2008, 16,252 policyholders were enrolled in one of the HIRSP Authority's plans.
We have provided an unqualified audit opinion on the HIRSP Authority's financial statements. However, our report on internal control and compliance includes a recommendation that the HIRSP Authority implement a more thorough review process to ensure its financial statements are free from material misstatement.
Following years of significant increases during the early 2000s, policyholder enrollment has decreased in recent years, in part because of the availability of the federal Medicare Part D program. In addition, beginning in 2008, individuals under the age of 19 who are eligible for the State's BadgerCare Plus program are no longer eligible to participate in the HIRSP Authority's plans.
The HIRSP Authority has maintained a sound financial position, with net assets totaling $35.4 million at the end of 2008. In December 2008, the HIRSP Authority Board of Directors approved distribution of a portion of the surplus net asset balance totaling approximately $12.0 million to HIRSP policyholders.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the HIRSP Authority and the plan administrator. A response from the HIRSP Authority follows our report.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
Chief Clerk Marchant, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate stand adjourned until until Tuesday, October 27, 2009.
10:16 A.M.
Adjourned.
