I am directed to inform you that the Senate has
Concurred in:
Assembly Joint Resolution
82
Assembly Bill 19
Assembly Bill 87
Assembly Bill 127
Assembly Bill 270
Assembly Bill 305
Assembly Bill 380
Assembly Bill 403
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Referral of Agency Reports
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee
October 27, 1997
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Attached is a copy of the information provided to all students, in accordance with Wis. Stats. 38.12.
a. All new students are required to attend a New Student Orientation. During these orientations, detailed information is shared regarding Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, also these students receive the attached handout.
b. All continuing students receive in the mail the attached flyer.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mr. Archie Graham, Director of Student Life at (414)297-6870.
Sincerely,
MR. ARCHIE L. GRAHAM
Director of Student Life
Referred to committee on Colleges and Universities.
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State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Housing and Economic
Development Authority
Madison
October 30, 1997
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 234.93(5), please find enclosed a report on the number of guarantees, total dollar amount of guarantees and default rates for each of the programs supported by the Wisconsin Development Reserve Fund. Please note that the report also includes Wisconsin Development Reserve Fund program activity in fiscal 1997. Please feel free to contact me or Jim Langdon at 266-3529 with any questions.
Sincerely,
FRITZ RUF
Executive Director, WHEDA
Referred to committee on Small Business and Economic Development.
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State of Wisconsin
Council on Physical Disabilities
Madison
October 31, 1997
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
As required by s.
46.29 (f) of the state statutes, I am pleased to submit to you the Annual report of the Council on Physical Disabilities for state fiscal year 1997 (July 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997). The Council appreciates the opportunity to participate in state government as a representative of Wisconsin's citizens with physical disabilities.
Large print, Braille, audiotapes, and disc versions of this report are available by contacting the staff at the Council at 608/266-9667 (voice) or 608/267-3906 (Fax).
Sincerely,
JOEL RODNEY
Chairperson
Referred to committee on Aging and Long-Term Care.
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State of Wisconsin
Public Service Commission
Madison
November 4, 1997
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Piepgras Holding Company was formed on April 16, 1991, when the majority of stock in St. Croix Valley Natural Gas Company was transferred to Donald Piepgras through a sale from his father. Section
196.795 (7), Stats, requires a Public Service Commission (Commission) investigation of the impact of the operation of the holding company on the utility no sooner than thirty-six months after a holding company is formed. Section
196.795 (7) (ar), Stats., provides that the Commission report its findings as a result of its investigation to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the legislature under s.
13.172 (2).
Commission staff have completed its investigation. The attached audit report discusses the scope of the audit and associated findings. In summary, no problems have appeared as a result of the formation of the holding company. Should you wish to discuss this report with Commission staff, please contact me at (608) 267-3590.
Sincerely,
ANITA SPRENGER
Administrator, Natural Gas Division
Referred to committee on Utilities Oversight.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Workforce Development
Madison
November 4, 1997
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
RE: Report on Alleged Worker's Compensation Fraud, Section
102.125, Wis. Stats.
The purpose of this letter is to report to the Governor and Legislature regarding allegations of worker's compensation fraud reported to the Department of Workforce development.
Section
102.125, Wis. Stats., created by
1993 Wisconsin Act 81, requires the Department to record allegations of worker's compensation fraud, and if there is a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of s.
943.395, Stats., (insurance fraud) has occurred, to refer the case for prosecution by the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. It also requires the Department to report annually to the Governor and Legislature regarding the number of allegations and referrals, and the results of the referrals.
This report shows that the program continues to be very effective at discharging its statutory duties and combating fraud, with a minimum of public expenditure. These achievements are founded on close partnerships with insurance carriers, prosecutors, and the employer community.
Sincerely,
LINDA STEWART
Secretary, DWD
Referred to committee on Labor and Employment.
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Claims Board
Madison
November 3, 1997
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Enclosed is the report of the State Claims Board covering the claims heard on October 14, 1997.
The amounts recommended for payment under $5,000 on claims included in this report have, under the provisions of s.
16.007, Stats., been paid directly by the Board.
The Board is preparing the bill(s) on the recommended award(s) over $5,000, if any, and will submit such to the Joint Finance Committee for legislative introduction.
This report is for the information of the Legislature. The Board would appreciate your acceptance and spreading of it upon the Journal to inform the members of the Legislature.
Sincerely,
Edward D. Main
Secretary, Claims Board
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State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
November 12, 1997
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
At the request of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, we have been monitoring construction of Miller Park, a new baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club. Stadium construction is the responsibility of the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District, created in
1995 Wisconsin Act 56. This review provides the information about financial aspects of stadium construction.
In a memorandum of understanding signed by representatives of the State, Milwaukee County, the City of Milwaukee, and the Brewers before enactment of Act 56, the total cost of the stadium project was budgeted at $322 million. However, we estimate the project's current total cost is $397.6 million, consisting of $303.3 million for construction; $82.5 million for infrastructure improvements, such as improvements to the site, U.S. Highway 41, and the Stadium Interchange on Interstate 94; and $11.8 million for the District's day-to-day operating expenses, including expenditures associated with Milwaukee County Stadium.
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Through June 1997, a total of $32.7 million was expended on the stadium project, independent of revenue bond interest and fiscal charges: $17.9 million for stadium construction, $11.3 million for infrastructure improvements, and $3.5 million for day-to-day operations. The District expended $28.9 million of this amount directly. The remaining $3.8 million was expended by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
To fund its expenditures, the District has issued $160 million in revenue bonds supported by a 0.1 percent local sales and use tax that was imposed beginning January 1, 1996. More than $21.4 million in sales and use tax revenues was distributed to the District by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue through June 1997. Additional funds were generated through the issuance of $45.5 million in Lease Certificates of Participation in August 1997.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District, as well as by the District's outside service providers, in completing our monitoring responsibilities. The District's response in Appendix IV.
Sincerely,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
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