Ayes, 9 - Senators
Grobschmidt, Jauch, Shibilski, Baumgart, Robson, Erpenbach, Darling, Huelsman and Lazich.
Noes, 2 - Senators
Roessler and Farrow.
Senate Bill 98
Relating to: promoting a pupil from the 4th grade to the 5th grade and from the 8th grade to the 9th grade and to granting a high school diploma.
Passage.
Ayes, 11 - Senators
Grobschmidt, Jauch, Shibilski, Baumgart, Robson, Erpenbach, Darling, Roessler, Huelsman, Lazich and Farrow.
Noes, 0 - None.
Richard Grobschmidt
Chairperson
The committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs reports and recommends:
Senate Bill 1
Relating to: requiring the department of employe trust funds to establish a health care coverage plan for employers in the private sector, creating a private employer health care coverage board and making an appropriation.
Introduction and adoption of Senate amendment 1.
Ayes, 4 - Senators
Breske, Welch, Rude and Drzewiecki.
Noes, 3 - Senators
Moen, Robson and Erpenbach.
Passage as amended.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Moen, Breske, Robson, Erpenbach, Welch, Rude and Drzewiecki.
Noes, 0 - None.
Senate Bill 92
Relating to: proceeds from the sale of forest products at Fort McCoy and making an appropriation.
Passage.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Moen, Breske, Robson, Erpenbach, Welch, Rude and Drzewiecki.
Noes, 0 - None.
Rodney Moen
Chairperson
The committee on Insurance, Tourism, Transportation and Corrections reports and recommends:
Blessington, Robert C.,
of New Berlin, as a member of the Prison Industries Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2002.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Breske, Grobschmidt, Baumgart, Shibilski, Schultz, A. Lasee and Zien.
Noes, 0 - None.
Engelke, Ronald C.,
of Hubertus, as a member of the Prison Industries Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 1999.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Breske, Grobschmidt, Baumgart, Shibilski, Schultz, A. Lasee and Zien.
Noes, 0 - None.
Engelke, Ronald C.,
of Hubertus, as a member of the Prison Industries Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2003.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Breske, Grobschmidt, Baumgart, Shibilski, Schultz, A. Lasee and Zien.
Noes, 0 - None.
Hamik
, Janet,
of Cross Plains, as a member of the Prison Industries Board, to serve for the interim term ending May 1, 2003.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 7 - Senators
Breske, Grobschmidt, Baumgart, Shibilski, Schultz, A. Lasee and Zien.
Noes, 0 - None.
Roger Breske
Chairperson
S135
The committee on
Judiciary and Consumer Affairs reports and recommends:
Assembly Bill 200
Relating to: the date on which the criminal penalties study committee is required to file a report of its findings and recommendations and making an appropriation.
Concurrence.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
George, Risser, Clausing, Huelsman and Darling.
Noes, 0 - None.
Senate Bill 100
Relating to: an affirmative defense that mitigates certain commercial gambling offenses.
Introduction and adoption of Senate amendment 1.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
George, Risser, Clausing, Huelsman and Darling.
Noes, 0 - None.
Passage as amended.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
George, Risser, Clausing, Huelsman and Darling.
Noes, 0 - None.
Senate Bill 72
Relating to: creating an office of public intervenor in the department of justice and making an appropriation.
Passage.
Ayes, 4 - Senators
George, Risser, Clausing and Darling.
Noes, 1 - Senator
Huelsman.
Gary George
Chairperson
__________________
State of Wisconsin
March 23, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
This is to request that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of Senate Bill 75.
Sincerely,
Judith A. Klusman
State Representative
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
May 3, 1999
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of costs and funding for special education provided by Wisconsin's school districts, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Special education costs increased 36.9 percent from fiscal year (FY) 1992-93 to FY 1997-98, from $630.8 million to $863.5 million. Special education enrollments increased 19.1 percent during this period, to 113,211 students in FY 1997-98. This increase was approximately three times the total public school enrollment increase of 6.3 percent.
Neither federal aid nor state categorical aid for special education has increased at the same rate as special education costs. If state categorical aid had been fully funded, it would have supported approximately 63 percent of special education costs. However, the Legislature has appropriated $275.5 million in categorical aid in each year since FY 1994-95, and that amount has not been sufficient to fully fund costs at statutory authorized levels. For example, state categorical aid payments for costs incurred in 1997-98 were $219.7 million less than the maximum allowed.
Special education costs that are not reimbursed by federal or state categorical aids are eligible for reimbursement under state general equalization aids, and a larger portion of special education costs has been shifted to this funding source over time. General aids provided the most substantial increase in special education funding from FY 1992-93 through FY 1997-98: $196.2 million, or 136.7 percent. In FY 1997-98, 75.7 percent of special education costs were supported by some form of state funding, compared to 66.9 percent in FY 1992-93. However, not all school districts benefitted equally from the increased state support because the general aids formulas provide districts with varying levels of benefit. Further, the increase in general aids occurred after the establishment of state revenue limits that restrict total education spending. Consequently, increase in special education spending have reduced the spending authority available for regular education in some districts. Our survey of school district officials found widespread dissatisfaction with the State's current method of funding special education, but no consensus for an alternative.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Public Instruction, which oversees the provision of special education throughout the state, and by the school districts. The Department's response in Appendix VI.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Department of Commerce
April 29, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
