June 9, 1998
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As required by s.
13.94(1)(de), Wis. Stats., we have completed a financial audit of the Patients Compensation Fund, which provides medical malpractice insurance coverage in excess of statutory minimums to Wisconsin's health care providers. The Fund is governed by the Board of Governors of the Patients Compensation Fund/Health Care Liability Insurance Plan and administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. We were able to provide an unqualified auditor's report on the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1997, 1996, and 1995.
Prior audit reports discussed concerns regarding the Fund's accounting deficit. Actions by the governing board and the Legislature, as well as recent favorable claims loss experience, have caused the deficit to decrease from $67.8 million as of June 30, 1994, to $44.1 million as of June 30, 1997. At the same time, assets of the Fund increased from $271 million to $377 million. Although the deficit appears to be a less-serious concern than it had been in earlier years, the Board will need to continue to monitor the Fund's financial status to ensure it addresses any concerns that might arise in the future. For example, the Legislature recently passed
1997 Wisconsin Act 89, which increases the cap on damages for wrongful death from $150,000 to $350,000 for adults and $500,000 for children and allows minor siblings to be plaintiffs. According to the Fund's actuaries, the change in law is not expected to have a material effect on the Fund because only future claims will be affected, and it appears the new provisions would not significantly increase the amounts paid for individual claims.
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The Fund has complied with our prior audit recommendation to resolve a potential conflict of interest regarding the purchasing of claim settlement annuities. In addition, we found the Fund's internal controls to be adequate overall. However, we are issuing a management letter to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to suggest improvement in controlling access to the Fund's computer system and in technical accounting matters.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and the contractors who help administer the Patients Compensation Fund program.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules
May 28, 1998
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As you may know, the governor has signed 1997 Assembly Bill 254 in law as Wisconsin Act 185. In addition to giving the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules expanded powers related to the extension of emergency rules, the legislation also imposes additional reporting requirements upon the co-chairs once an emergency rule has been extended.
According to Section 4 of the act, the Joint Committee is required, upon extending an emergency rule or part of an emergency rule, to file a statement of its action with the "presiding officer of each house of the legislature, (and) the appropriate committees of each house of the legislature, as determined by the presiding officer of each house of the legislature . . . ." We have discussed with Ron Sklansky, counsel to the Joint Committee, the compliance issues related specifically to sending notification to the standing committees as designated by the presiding officers, to wit: How do we send notification to those committees when the presiding officers have not yet designated them? Attorney Sklansky suggested that we forward the standing committee notification letters to your offices, and that you then forward them to the standing committee chair in your house after you have chosen the committee to receive the notice.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact either of us at our offices, or Attorney Ron Sklansky at the Joint Legsilative Council. Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Robert T. Welch
Senate Co-Chair
Glenn Grothman
Assembly Co-Chair
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 3, 1998
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 4, 1998
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 8, 1998
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June 1, 1998
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to transmit my Stripper XVIII 1998 Oil Overcharge Plan for consideration by the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) at the next 13.10, Wis. Stats., meeting. As required by s.
14.065 Wis. Stats., I am also forwarding a copy to the Chief Clerk of the Assembly.
This Plan allocates $1,590,426 ($745,244 of new Stripper monies and $845,182 of reallocated monies); helps low income citizens stay warm; develops Wisconsin's renewable energy resource base; makes our buildings and homes more energy efficient; protects the environment ; and, educates our children regarding the wise use of energy. This plan also modifies the Stripper XIV Small Business Energy Efficiency Program to make it accessible to more small businesses.
In addition to the JCF's action, the U.S. Department of Energy must also conduct a review to determine if Wisconsin's Plan conforms with Federal requirements and established definitions of restitution. The Department of Administration staff will be available to provide additional information that may be required. I appreciate your usual support.
Sincerely,
Tommy G. Thompson
Governor
Referred to joint committee on Finance.
Office of the Governor
June 4, 1998
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Mettner, Joseph P.,
of Madison, as a member of the Public Service Commission, to serve for the interim term as commissioner ending March 1, 2003, and for the interim term as chair ending March 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environment and Energy.
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Relating to examination requirements and procedures, academic programs equivalent to master's and doctorate degrees in professional counseling, and temporary certificates for professional counselors.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, June 4, 1998.
Referred to committee on Business, Economic Development and Urban Affairs, June 10, 1998
.
Relating to the clean fuel fleet program to reduce volatile organic compound and oxides of nitrogen emissions from fleet vehicles.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, June 9, 1998.
Referred to committee on Environment and Energy,
June 10, 1998.
Relating to wildlife management housekeeping changes.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, June 9, 1998.
Referred to committee on Environment and Energy,
June 10, 1998.
Relating to recreational and commercial fishing regulations and fish refuges.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, June 9, 1998.
Referred to committee on Environment and Energy,
June 10, 1998.
