Noes: 0.
To committee on Rules.
Assembly Bill 453
Relating to: sales tax on motor vehicles purchased after a consumer receives a refund under a new motor vehicle warranty.
Assembly amendment 1 adoption:
Ayes: 12 - Representatives M. Lehman, Ainsworth, F. Lasee, Olsen, Owens, Starzyk, Sykora, Ziegelbauer, Wood, Morris-Tatum, Turner and Pocan.
Noes: 0.
Passage as amended:
Ayes: 11 - Representatives M. Lehman, F. Lasee, Olsen, Owens, Starzyk, Sykora, Ziegelbauer, Wood, Morris-Tatum, Turner and Pocan.
Noes: 1 - Representative
Ainsworth.
To joint committee on Finance.
Michael Lehman
Chairperson
Committee on Ways and Means
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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Health and Family
Madison
September 10, 2001
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
In accordance with sec. 1.11 (2)(j) Wis. Stats., the Department of Health and Family Services reports that it has not conducted any Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements during the reporting period of July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001.
Sincerely,
Phyllis J. Dube
Secretary
Referred to committee on Natural Resources.
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
September 11, 2001
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
A391
At the request of several legislators, we have completed a review of Brown County's financial condition. Concerns about the county's financial condition were raised in late 2000, when county officials projected a $3.9 million budget deficit for 2001 and larger deficits in subsequent years. In mid-2001, the county revised its budget estimates and projected a smaller deficit for 2002, as well as for future years. Nevertheless, Brown County is likely to face financial challenges in the future.
Brown County's total expenditures have grown by 27.1 percent from 1995 to 1999. Despite this substantial increase, its 1999 per capita expenditures have, in most cases, been typical of counties with populations over 100,000. In addition, Brown County's financial condition has been satisfactory since 1995: the county had a surplus in its general fund for four of the past six years; it has had an adequate undesignated balance in its general fund at year-end; it has a low level of outstanding debt; and its bond rating has been "Aa1," the second-highest attainable.
In 2001, Brown County's corrections expenditures are expected to increase significantly, largely as the result of the June opening of a new jail. We estimate that costs associated with housing inmates in 2001 may be as much as $20 per day more than was spent for housing inmates in 2000, when many inmates were housed in out-of-county facilities.
Brown County provides more services than most other counties. To address the county's projected budget deficits in the future, county officials will need to either control expenditures or enhance revenues. We have identified several areas they may wish to consider.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by officials of Brown County. The county's response is Appendix 2.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
