2. Public Library System Aids – The budget provides $2,000,000 GPR over the biennium to increase public library systems aid. I am approving this aid with the expectation that the Northern Waters Library Service apply any systems aid increase it receives to the continuation of bookmobile services within the library system's boundaries.
3. School Start Date – The budget prohibits school boards from beginning the school term prior to September 1, unless the school board holds a public hearing on the issue and passes a resolution specifying a date earlier than September 1. While I am concerned about the provision allowing school boards to opt out of the requirement, in an effort to resolve the stalemate that delayed passage of this bill, I agreed to sign this provision into law without any changes. However, I will be introducing legislation to modify the opt-out mechanism in a manner that protects educational quality for students and equitably balances the prerogatives of school boards and the interests of the state’s tourism industry. In addition, I urge school boards not to opt out of the September 1 start date due to the need for consistent start dates statewide.
4. Respite Care – The budget bill contains funding for a private nonprofit organization to conduct life-span respite care projects in five regions of the state. I have not vetoed the funding despite my reservations about creating a new long-term care service when one of the objectives of Family Care is to consolidate current funding for long-term care programs. Thus, I am directing the Department of Health and Family Services secretary to coordinate this new respite care program with the Family Care pilots.
5. Video Gambling Machines – Currently there is inconsistent enforcement of video gambling machine laws across the state. In response, the Legislature has now reduced the penalty for having five or fewer of these machines in a tavern. While operating gaming machines in taverns is illegal, it should not rise to the level of imprisonment, especially in an already crowded prison system. I also intend to come back with a proposal to reduce the number of gaming machines that would fall under the misdemeanor penalty from five to three. This change should create more uniformity in the prosecution of minimal gaming activities and make the penalty fit the crime. In the future, I still feel gaming machines should be licensed, regulated and taxed in Wisconsin.
6. TIF Laws – I am concerned with the frequency of case-by-case exemptions from the tax incremental financing (TIF) law contained in this budget and in prior legislation. Resorting to such case-by-case exceptions and exemptions undermines the serious purpose of the original law – targeted and focused economic development. Such frequent tampering with the law’s general provisions suggests the tax incremental finance law needs reform. I am requesting the Department of Revenue secretary to convene a working group to study the TIF law and recommend needed revisions.
7. Light Rail –The budget contains a bipartisan agreement that prohibits local governments from expending certain federal and state transportation funding for contracts related to a light rail transit system. This provision sunsets at the end of the 1999-2001 biennium and responds to the multiple perspectives concerning any implementation of this transit alternative in Milwaukee. Furthermore, this provision does not apply to either the Kenosha trolley system that is under construction nor the study of transit alternatives associated with the Highway 12 agreement in Dane and Sauk counties. In addition, as an independent authority, the Wisconsin Center district is not limited by this provision in its efforts to conduct a downtown Milwaukee connector study.I also intend, in cooperation with Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, to make it clear to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that the $241 million of federal Interstate Cost Estimate funding must be released in a timely manner to support several key Milwaukee projects, including reconstruction of the Sixth Street Viaduct. Federal legislation released one-half of these funds to state oversight and the other half to joint state and local oversight. In keeping with federal law, implementation of the agreement reached on use of this funding should not be hindered by USDOT.
I also believe while the final product of the budget deliberations was positive, the budget process left much to be desired and needs to be improved. I will consider proposing changes to the process in my next budget.
The budget I am signing represents a transition from the 20th Century to the 21st Century. The budget also provides a foundation for our state’s future, a future with unlimited potential in which our taxes are competitive with other states, our schools are the best in the nation and all our citizens find productive employment. That future begins today.
Respectfully submitted,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Date: October 27, 1999
VETO MESSAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
ARTS BOARD
1. Arts Board Grant Programs
EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD
2. Public Broadcasting Committee
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL AIDS BOARD
3. Talent Incentive Program (TIP) and Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) for University of Wisconsin System (UWS) Students
4. Tuition Grant Program public instruction
5. Neighborhood Schools Initiative
6. SAGE Program Eligibility and Bonding Program
7. Foreign Language Requirement
8. High School Graduation Test
9. Revenue Limit Increase for Positive Tax Increment of a Tax Incremental District
10. Foreign Language Instruction Grants
11. Minority Group Pupil Scholarships
12. Milwaukee Parental Choice Program Pupil Income Eligibility
13. Agricultural Education Consultant Position
14. Direct Instruction Program Grant State historical society
15. Heritage Trust Program
TEACH WISCONSIN
16. Funding for K-12 Instructional Web Site
17. Training and Technical Assistance Grants
18. 2001-2003 Biennial Budget Requirements
19. Federal E-Rate Reporting Requirements
20. Federal E-Rate Appropriations
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN HOSPITAL AND CLINICS AUTHORITY
21. Bonding Authority Limitations
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
22. Plan for Increased Enrollment
23. Lawton Minority Undergraduate Grant Appropriation
24. Advanced Opportunity Program
25. GPR Position Flexibility
26. Area Health Education Centers
27. Information Technology Student Retention Plan and Report
28. Ginseng Research Grants
29. Study of Programs in Marathon County
30. Stray Voltage Research
31. Wisconsin Humanities Council Wisconsin Technical college system
32. Agricultural Education Consultant
33. Rules for Wisconsin Technical College System Grant Programs
B. ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMERCIAL RESOURCES
AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
1. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
2. Pesticide Database
3. Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Fund – GPR Appropriation
4. Purchase of Development Rights Pilot Program
5. Financial Assistance for Paratuberculosis Testing
6. Weights and Measures Enforcement in Certain Towns
7. Telecommunications Complaint Reporting Requirements
8. Federal Funding for Agricultural Export Marketing commerce
9. PECFA – Deductibles
11. PECFA – Site Priority Classification
12. PECFA – Risk Based Analysis Rule Deadline
13. PECFA – Criteria for Waiver of Site Bidding Process
