January 20, 2000
The Honorable Fred Risser
President of the Wisconsin State Senate
220 South, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
The Honorable Scott Jensen
Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
211 West, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Senator Risser and Representative Jensen:
Pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the Wisconsin Constitution, I request that you convene a joint session of the Legislature on Wednesday, January 26, 2000, at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of my delivery of the 2000 State of the State Address.
I respectfully request confirmation of this date with my scheduler, Patricia Hackett, at your earliest convenience. Ms. Hackett can be reached directly at 266-6942. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tommy G. Thompson
Governor
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Communications
January 14, 2000
Representative Scott Jensen, Speaker
Wisconsin State Assembly
211 West, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Speaker Jensen:
As chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, it has come to my attention that there have been a number of problems associated with the current implementation of Trans 233 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Trans 233 relates to the division of land abutting a state trunk highway or connecting highway. Originally created in 1956 to regulate subdivisions only, as of February 1, 1999, Trans 233 now regulates all land divisions adjacent to state highways.
Due to the concerns that have been brought to my attention by both fellow legislators and the Coalition to Reform Trans 233, which consists of 20 different associations, I held a briefing on Trans 233 for the benefit of the Assembly Transportation Committee. At that briefing, a number of additional concerns were raised by the committee members. Thus, I have appointed a subcommittee to specifically review Trans 233 and offer recommendations for modifications to the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules.
Members of the subcommittee include Representatives Jeff Stone, Mike Huebsch, Joe Leibham, Julie Lassa, John Steinbrink and Gary Sherman. I will serve as chair. I intend to call the first meeting of the subcommittee on Review of Trans 233 for Thursday, January 27.
If you have any questions regarding the subcommittee or the concerns associated with Trans 233, please let me know.
Sincerely,
David A. Brandemuehl
State Representative
49th Assembly District
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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Madison
December 29, 1999
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
RE: Division of Gaming Quarterly Report
Included with this correspondence, I am submitting the report of the Department of Administration, Division of Gaming (Gaming), for the quarter ended September 30, 1999. As required by s.
562.02(1)(g), Wis. Stats., the attached materials contain pari-mutuel wagering and racing statistical information, as well as the revenues and expenditures for the program areas of Racing, Charitable Gaming and Indian Gaming.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact me at (608) 270-2560.
Sincerely,
F. Scott Scepaniak
Administrator
Referred to committee on State Affairs.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Health and Family Services
Madison
January 10, 2000
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
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The Bureau of Health Information (BHI) is pleased to submit to the Governor and to the Legislature the attached report. This report addresses the non-statutory provision in Section 65 (3t) of
1997 Wisconsin Act 231. The
1997 Wisconsin Act 231 required the Department of Health and Family Services to study whether health care data from teaching physicians should be adjusted to reflect the unique aspects of delivering health care as a teaching physician.
Questions regarding the attached report should be forwarded to Barbara Rudolph, Director, Bureau of Health Information, at (608) 266-0236.
Sincerely,
Joe Leean
Secretary
Referred to committee on Health.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction
Madison
January 11, 2000
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
This is to inform you that the department will submit the 1999 Annual Report on the Status of Bilingual-Bicultural Education programs, as required under s.
115.96, Wisconsin Statutes, by January 31, 2000. Last year, we moved to an electronic collection of all limited-English proficient (LEP) related data. This year, we needed to make some major changes to the LEP data collection in response to new USDE requirements as well as to address difficulties that arose from the previous year's implementation of the new system. These necessary changes delayed the dissemination of data collection packets until the summer, resulting in the delay of submittal of data by some districts. Staff are working on the database and reporting formats that will allow us to provide the complete report to you by the end of January 2000.
The complete annual report will include details on: the state's administration and funding of bilingual education in Wisconsin and factors contributing to program expansion; the continually lower annual reimbursement rates for school districts; the number of pupils served from minority languages, the locations of state-aided programs during the 1999 fiscal year (July 1, 1998, through June 30, 1999), and staff-related data.
Sincerely,
JUanita S. Pawlisch, Ph.D., Assistant Superintendent
Division for Learning Support:
Equity and Advocacy
Referred to committee on Education.
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Madison
December 17, 1999
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
I have enclosed a copy of the State of Wisconsin's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. This report contains the "general purpose" or combined financial statements, and the combining financial statements for each fund type. As such, it represents a summary of all State transactions during the fiscal year.
I am pleased to report that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the State of Wisconsin for its fiscal year 1998 CAFR. The GFOA's Certificate is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the highest standards for state and local government financial reports. The State of Wisconsin is again applying for the Certificate, and the 1999 CAFR has been submitted to the GFOA.
If you have specific questions regarding the CAFR's contents or comments on its usefulness, please contact me at (608) 266-3628.
Sincerely,
William J. Raftery, CPA
State Controller
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Southeast Wisconsin
Professional Baseball Park District
Milwaukee
January 20, 2000
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Enclosed please find the Miller Park Monthly Progress Report for the month of December 1999 for your review and consideration. As the enclosed report indicates, Miller Park continues to develop with the District Board's objectives of building the premier baseball facility in the country; scheduled for play on Opening Day 2001; within budget; and with meaningful community participation.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you should have any questions or comments regarding the enclosed report.
Very truly yours,
Michael R. Duckett, P.E., R.l.s.
Executive Director
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A598
Reference Bureau Corrections
Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 467
1. Page 1, line 5: after "that is" insert "in".