By
Senators
Erpenbach, Huelsman and Schultz; cosponsored by Representatives Powers, Jeskewitz, La Fave, Ainsworth, M. Lehman, Hundertmark, Albers, Olsen, Nass, Musser, D. Meyer, Townsend, Ward and Petrowski.
To committee on Economic Development and Corrections.
Senate Bill 143
Relating to: waiving the fee for deposit of a will.
By
Senators
Huelsman, Risser, Roessler, George and Rosenzweig; cosponsored by Representatives Krawczyk, Staskunas, Hahn, Albers, Stone, Owens and Berceau.
To committee on Judiciary, Consumer Affairs, and Campaign Finance Reform.
Senate Bill 144
Relating to: state purchase of a Justice Center building and granting bonding authority.
By
Senators
Risser, Roessler and M. Meyer; cosponsored by Representatives Hoven, Vrakas and Plale, by request of Governor Scott McCallum
.
To committee on Universities, Housing, and Government Operations.
__________________
Committee on Senate Organization
April 4, 2001
A request by Senator Meyer for an Opinion of the Attorney General relating to an interpretation of Section
13.04(4) of the Statutes as it relates to the level of compensation for Senator Farrow if she were to be confirmed as Lieutenant Governor.
Ayes (5): Senators Chvala, Risser, Moen, Panzer and Farrow
Noes (0): None
Senator Chuck Chvala
Chairperson
April 10, 2001
Dear Attorney General Doyle:
S150
The Senate Committee on Organization has unanimously voted to request a formal Opinion of the Attorney General to clarify ss 13.04(4) as it relates to the compensation to be paid to the Lieutenant Governor upon confirmation of the nominee by both houses of the Legislature.
The Committee on Organization received a request by the Senate Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Universities, Housing & Government Operations, Senator Mark Meyer to seek an Opinion of the Attorney General on this subject. In his request, Senator Meyer referred to a response he received from the Legislative Council Staff on this issue. A copy of the request letter is attached for your information.
The Senate will return to session on May 1, 2001. A response by this date would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Chuck chvala, Chair
Senate Committee on Organization
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
April 10, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed our evaluation of the Wisconsin Works program (W-2), as required by s.
49.141(2g)(a), Wis. Stats. This is the sixth and final report issued under that requirement.
W-2 is a time-limited employment assistance program administered by the Department of Workforce Development. It replaced cash entitlements provided to low-income families under Aid to Families with Dependent Children in September 1997. Through September 2000, W-2 program costs totaled $710.4 million, of which 93.6 percent was spent by local public and private contractors for program services, benefits, and administration.
Implementation of W-2 has resulted in large declines in the number of individuals receiving cash assistance. From January 1998 through September 2000, cash assistance caseloads declined more than 50 percent, from 14,204 to 6,771 cases. However, the program's success in achieving economic self-sufficiency for participants has been mixed. Among 2,129 participants who left W-2 during the first three months of 1998, 1,377 filed 1999 Wisconsin tax returns. Of those who filed, 643, or 46.7 percent, had incomes above the federal poverty level when earned income credits were included. In addition, we found that 26.1 percent of those who left the program from January through March of 1998 had returned for cash assistance or other services by July 2000.
Before the start of a new contract period, which is scheduled to begin January 2002, the Department and the Legislature will need to consider challenges posed by returning participants and those with multiple or severe barriers to employment; how to best address the needs of those who are nearing time limits on program participation; and how to assist individuals who have entered the workforce in maintaining their employment, advancing, and raising themselves and their families out of poverty.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Workforce Development and staff of the many W-2 agencies we contacted during the course of our review. The Department's response is Appendix 15.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
April 10, 2001
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2001 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us/
Bailey, Nadine F Timber Producers Association of Michigan & Wisconsin Inc
Benske, John AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
Blumenfeld, Michael Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association
Elliott, Brian Securities Industry Association
Peterson, Scott AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
Springer, Thomas J Securities Industry Association
Stitt, Donald Securities Industry Association
Thompson, Kelli American Cancer Society
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
Roth Judd
Director
__________________
Relating to fees required of agent cities and counties that license and inspect retail food establishments.
Submitted by Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Report received from Agency, April 5, 2001.
Referred to committee on Universities, Housing, and Government Operations, April 11, 2001
.
Relating to public warehouse keeper license fees.
Submitted by Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Report received from Agency, April 9, 2001.
Referred to committee on Judiciary, Consumer Affairs, and Campaign Finance Reform, April 11, 2001
.
__________________
Senate Enrolled Proposals
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Joint Resolution 27
Report correctly enrolled on March 28, 2001.
__________________
Senate Enrolled Proposals
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Bill 7
Senate Joint Resolution 22
Senate Joint Resolution 26
Report correctly enrolled on April 4, 2001.
Corrections In:
2001 Senate Bill 89
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(April 5, 2001)
1. Page 1, line 4: delete "counties" and substitute "countries".