State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
October 15, 1996
The Honorable, The Legislature:
A number of concerns have been raised about the Department of Transportation's Statewide Transportation Enhancements Program, which provides funding for pedestrian and bicycle paths, historical preservation, landscaping, and other similar types of projects. First, confusion exists over how much federal funding is available for enhancements projects and how the Department has spent available funding. Second, some have questioned why Wisconsin has spent less than other states on enhancements. Third, some have expressed concern that the Department has not provided enough assistance to project sponsors, which include state agencies, counties, and local units of government, and has not taken advantage of funding options that are allowed by federal law and are designed to make it easier for sponsors to complete the projects for which they have construction responsibility.
S906
We found that the federal government apportioned $52.8 million to the Enhancements Program from federal fiscal year (FFY) 1991-92 through FFY 1995-96, but the Legislature has appropriated $15.3 million to the program because other transportation programs were judged to be of higher priority. The Department has approved 178 projects requiring $21.0 million, or 39.8 percent of its total apportionment, which ranks it 45th among states. Sponsors have received $4.0 million in reimbursement for completed projects. Although staff have implemented some rule changes to make the program more accessible to sponsors, the Department could undertake additional efforts, such as providing sponsors with advanced funding prior to construction and allowing sponsors to request additional funding if costs increase.
Our findings with regard to the Enhancements Program are attached. If you have additional questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 14, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Bena
, Charles E.,
of Coon Valley, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreation Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 14, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Orner
, Earl L.,
of Barnes, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreation Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 14, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Pfaff
, Bill D.,
of New Lisbon, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreation Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 14, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Rasmussen, Kathleen M.,
of Cable, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreation Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources and Urban Affairs.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
October 14, 1996
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Toftness, James,
of Hayward, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreation Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources and Urban Affairs.
__________________
Relating to relocation assistance.
Submitted by Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations.
Report received from Agency, October 15, 1996.
Referred to committee on Labor,
October 16, 1996.
Relating to plumbing plans and adopted standards.
Submitted by Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations.
Report received from Agency, October 10, 1996.
Referred to committee on Labor,
October 16, 1996.
Relating to fee for title and registration processing contractors.
Submitted by Department of Transportation.
Report received from Agency, October 15, 1996.
Referred to committee on Agriculture, Transportation, Utilities and Financial Institutions, October 16, 1996.
Relating to permit fees for the operation of public swimming pools, recreational and educational camps, campgrounds, hotels, motels and tourist rooming houses, restaurants, bed and breakfast establishments, and food and beverage vending operations.
Submitted by Department of Health and Social Services.
Report received from Agency, October 15, 1996.
Referred to committee on Health, Human Services, Aging and Corrections, October 16, 1996.
Relating to soil erosion at one- and two-family dwelling construction sites.
Submitted by Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations.
Report received from Agency, October 10, 1996.
Referred to committee on Labor,
October 16, 1996.
Relating to operation of public swimming pools.
Submitted by Department of Health and Family Services.
Report received from Agency, October 14, 1996.
Referred to committee on Health, Human Services, Aging and Corrections, October 16, 1996.
