Dear Charlie:
This letter is to inform you of my appointment of Judge Diane Sykes to the newly created Criminal Penalties Study Committee.
Judge Sykes' years of experience as Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge will be an added plus to the committee. Her goal is to work on implementing reforms to restore the public's faith in the criminal justice system.
I am confident Judge Sykes will be an asset to the committee. Please call me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Steve Foti
Assembly Majority Leader
__________________
Southeast Wisconsin
Professional Baseball Park District
Milwaukee
June 12, 1998
RE: May 1998 Monthly Progress Report
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Enclosed please find your copy of the May 1998 Miller Park Monthly Progress Report. If you have any questions or comments on this month's report, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and input on the Miller Park project.
Very truly yours,
Michael R. Duckett, P.E., R.L.S.
Executive Director, SEWPBPD
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
June 26, 1998
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
As required by s.
13.94(1)(em), Wis. Stats., we have completed our annual financial audit of the Wisconsin Lottery, which is administered by the Department of Revenue. We have issued an unqualified opinion on the Wisconsin Lottery's fiscal year (FY) 1995-96 and FY 1996-97 financial statements.
Wisconsin Lottery sales continue to decline from earlier years. After sales peaked at $518.9 million in FY 1994-95, they fell to $482.1 million in FY 1995-96 and to $431.1 million in FY 1996-97. The decline is likely the result of diminished consumer interest as the general novelty of the Wisconsin Lottery fades. Because the amount available for property tax relief is dependent upon lottery sales, the average amount of property tax credits distributed has declined since FY 1995-96.
The Wisconsin Lottery has taken several steps to increase sales. For example, to create interest in lottery games, the Department has released more instant games in FY 1997-98 than it released in previous years. The Legislature has also increased retailer compensation rates and provided funding for state positions to assist retailers in selling lottery products.
Although these initiatives may slow the pace at which sales decline, sales for on-line games are more strongly influenced by the size of the estimated jackpot being offered. As the jackpot grows, sales typically increase, as shown by the recent $195 million jackpot for Powerball, an on-line game. However, even with the temporary sales increase resulting from recent Powerball interest, overall sales are projected to decline further in FY 1997-98. In May 1998, the Department estimated total FY 1997-98 sales to be $414 million, which is below its October 1997 estimate of $446.9 million but above its February 1998 estimate of $407.7 million. The reduction in sales from earlier years will likely further reduce the amount available for property tax credits in FY 1998-99. Because of difficulties in projecting the rate of decline in sales, the Department has postponed reestimating sales for FY 1998-99 until October 1998.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Revenue. The Department's response is the appendix.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
