21.
Administrative Rule to Set Fees
Section 1030d
The Department of Electronic Government created in the budget derives its funding through the assessment of fees for various services and activities. This section requires the department to establish all fees and charges through the administrative rule process. I am removing this requirement with my partial veto because it will unnecessarily burden the chief information officer in expeditiously implementing the agency's mission.
22.
Chief Information Officer Vote on Information Technology Management Board
Section 176
This section creates the Information Technology Management Board which is attached to the Department of Electronic Government. The chief information officer is given membership on the board which is limited to a nonvoting status. I object to this limitation because I believe the chief information officer should be a full participating member. I am, therefore, vetoing the provision to remove the nonvoting status for the chief information officer.
23.
Ethics Board Procurement Authority
Sections 275m and 355m
The Department of Electronic Government is authorized to oversee and provide technical assistance and training to small agencies. Provisions added in the budget permit the State Ethics Board an exemption from department oversight. The board may utilize any funding made available for small agency support to obtain assistance or training from any source. I am vetoing these provisions because the department should retain authority to determine the form and source of technical assistance for these agencies.
24.
Veterans Museum Distance Learning Support
Section 1030m
This provision requires the Department of Electronic Government to administer a program providing outreach and training to veterans through a satellite system that is linked to five remote locations throughout the state.
I am vetoing this requirement because it is unnecessary. I believe that the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Electronic Government will mutually explore and pursue the best ways to use technology to assist veterans. The department will work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase outreach to veterans regarding veterans services and benefits and to provide training to Department of Veterans Affairs employees and to county veterans service officers. However, the new department should be allowed to decide how to accomplish this task after an assessment of how best to provide this assistance.
EMPLOYEE TRUST FUNDS
25.
Private Employer Health Insurance Coverage Program Changes and Funding
Sections 395 [as it relates to s.
20.515 (2) (a)], 910t, 1400mm, 3741amb, 3766ec, 3766ef, 3766em, 9327 (3q) (a) [as it relates to s.
635.05 (1)] and 9427 (3q) [as it relates to s.
635.05 (1)]
These sections provide funding for the start-up costs associated with the private employer health care coverage program, restrict the variance in health insurance premium rates which insurers are allowed to charge small employers and revise the definition of small employer. One provision requires the state life fund to provide an interest-free loan to the general fund in the amount of $850,000. The same amount is appropriated under the Department of Employee Trust Funds. The loan is to be paid back from program receipts or from the general fund if the program receipts are not sufficient within a reasonable period of time. Another provision reduces the variance permissible in health insurance premiums charged by insurers to plus or minus ten percent of the midpoint rate for small employers with similar case characteristics. A third provision revises the statutory definition of small employer to incorporate an eligible employee standard present under current state law.
S353
I am partially vetoing these provisions for the following reasons. The additional premium rate variance restrictions may have the effect of increasing costs to many small businesses that currently provide health insurance benefits to their employees. Therefore, I am striking out the rate band change. Also, I object to funding this program by an interest-free loan from the state life fund to the general fund. The life fund's assets are owned by the policyholders and are managed by the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, which has investment guidelines which such a required loan may violate. Therefore, I am vetoing the loan provision, and by lining out the Department of Employee Trust Funds' s.
20.515 (2) (a) appropriation and writing in a smaller amount that deletes $850,000 GPR in fiscal year 2001-02, I am deleting the funds appropriated for this program. I am also requesting the Department of Administration secretary not to allot these funds. The Department of Employee Trust Funds, Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and State of Wisconsin Investment Board should explore arranging a loan which addresses needed program costs and conforms with the investment requirements of the board. Finally, I am vetoing the change in definition of small employer. I do so because the new definition would not meet the requirements of the federal definitions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
26.
Funding for Shared Human Resources System
These provisions change the appropriation for the shared human resources system from continuing to a sum certain. In addition, these provisions prevent the Joint Committee on Finance from supplementing the appropriation above $16,000 until provided a number of reports.
I object to the change in appropriation status because I believe a continuing appropriation is better suited to the requirements of maintaining the system. I also am concerned that the requirements to prepare and submit additional reports as a condition for having supplemental funding requests considered will unnecessarily delay implementation of the shared human resources system. I am, therefore, vetoing these provisions in their entirety. The effect of my veto will retain the current law continuing appropriation.
LEGISLATURE
27.
Legislative Hotline
Sections 102p, 2304p and 9432 (1z)
This provision prohibits the Legislature from maintaining a toll-free telephone service for use of the public to contact members of the Legislature.
The legislative hotline provides a convenient means for the public to contact members of the Legislature. Eliminating this central point of access could discourage citizens from communicating with their legislators. For this reason, I am vetoing deletion of the legislative hotline.
28.
Emergency Rule Changes
Sections 3034d, 3034j and 3034k
This provision changes the initial length of time that emergency administrative rules may be in effect from 150 to ninety days. It also modifies the maximum extension of the effective period from 120 days to 180 days. Also included is a new requirement that any proposed administrative rule must be submitted to the Revisor of Statutes and the Secretary of State within thirty days after legislative review is complete.
I am vetoing this provision because it places unnecessary restrictions on the executive branch and the emergency rule process.
29.
Legislative Council Studies
Sections 9132 (4b) and 9132 (4z)
Section 9132 (4b) requests the Joint Legislative Council to study how juries are selected, including what actions are needed to increase the participation of racial and ethnic minorities on juries so that juries reflect the racial and ethnic composition of the areas from which the juries were selected. Section 9132 (4z) requests the council to study how state government, the state's research universities and the state's business community can foster economic development in this state by assisting industries and businesses that are based on science and technology.
I am vetoing these provisions because they are unnecessary. These studies can be completed without a nonstatutory requirement.
30.
Capstone Certificate Program Reimbursement Funding
This section provides $9,500 GPR annually to the Assembly to reimburse staff members who participate in the Capstone Certificate Program. This program provides professional development courses to staff members of the Legislature.
I am vetoing this section because providing funding to only one house of the Legislature would discourage other staff members from participating in the program. By lining out the s.
20.765 (1) (a) appropriation and writing in a smaller amount, I am deleting $9,500 each year for the Capstone Certificate Program.
MILITARY AFFAIRS
31.
National Guard Tuition Grant Program
Sections 1024bg, 1024c, 1024m, 9336 (2gk) and 9436 (1gk)
These sections reduce the reimbursement percentage for the National Guard Tuition Grant program from 100 percent to 85 percent. They also make grant recipients ineligible for tuition reimbursement if they are members of the U.S. armed forces, including the National Guard, for ten years or more and make guard members eligible for grants after June 30, 2005, only if they attend University of Wisconsin System schools, schools participating in the Minnesota-Wisconsin reciprocity agreement or any technical college.
I am vetoing these sections in their entirety because they will have an adverse affect on maintaining a strong National Guard. I am committed to maintaining a 100 percent tuition grant reimbursement program for the National Guard in Wisconsin. The program is a vital recruitment incentive. While I cannot restore funding for the current law reimbursement rate through a veto, I will support legislation that provides full funding of the program at a 100 percent reimbursement level.
32.
Badger Challenge Program
Section 9159 (1) (b)
This provision prohibits the Department of Military Affairs from submitting a request to reduce funding for the Badger Challenge Program as part of the department's general purpose revenue appropriation reduction for state operations.
S354
I am vetoing this provision because it will have an adverse affect on the department. Every other state agency that must reduce general purpose revenue funding in state operations may request to reallocate its reduction to any other general purpose revenue appropriation for state operations within the agency. It is inequitable to prohibit the Department of Military Affairs from requesting to reduce general purpose revenue in the Badger Challenge Program when other state agencies are not restricted in such a manner.
REGULATION AND LICENSING
33.
Regulation of Closing Agents
Sections 3579c, 3608cg, 3608cm, 3608cr, 3608dg, 3608dq, 3608dr, 3608eg, 3608em, 3608er, 3608fg, 3608fm,3608fr, 3608gg, 3608gm, 3608gr, 3608hg, 3608hm, 3608hr, 3608ig, 3608im, 3608ir, 3608jg, 3608jm, 3608jr, 3608kg, 3608km, 3608kr, 3608Lg and 9443 (3km)
These provisions newly regulate real estate closing agents and require that all trust accounts used by closing agents be interest-bearing. The interest earned by these trust accounts would be transferred to the Department of Administration to provide grants to alleviate homelessness.
I am vetoing these provisions in their entirety because the licensing requirements do not respond to a demonstrated need and will add little additional protection for consumers.
34.
Regulation of Cemeteries
Sections 395 [as it relates to 20.165 (1) (q)], 465p, 1104p, 1144m, 2077, 2093, 2100m, 2852bb, 2852bf, 2852bj, 2852bL, 2852bn, 2852bp, 2852br, 2852bt, 2852bx, 2852da, 2852dc, 2852de, 2852dk, 2852dm, 2852ds, 2852dt, 2852dy, 2852fb, 2852fd, 2852fh, 2852fj, 2852fL, 2852fn, 2852fp, 2852fr, 2852ft, 2852fu, 2852fw, 2852fx, 2852gb, 2852hb, 2852jd, 2852jf, 2852jh, 2852jj, 2852jL, 2852jn, 2852jp, 2852jr, 2852jt, 2852jv, 2852jx, 2852jy, 2852jz, 2852Lb, 2852Ld, 2852Lf, 2852Lh, 2852Lj, 2852LL, 2852Ln, 2852Lp, 2852Lt, 2852ob, 2852obm, 2852oc, 2852od, 2852oh, 2852of, 2852og, 2852oj, 2852ok, 2852oL, 2852on, 2852op, 2852or, 2852ot, 2852ov, 2852ox, 2852oz, 2852pb, 2852pd, 2852pf, 2852ph, 2852pj, 2852pL, 2852pn, 2852pp, 2852pr, 2852pt, 2852pv, 2852px, 2852pz, 2852qb, 2852qd, 2852qf, 2852qh, 2852qhk, 2852qhL, 2852qj, 2852qL, 2852qn, 2852qp, 2852qr, 2852qt, 2852qv, 2852se, 2852sh, 2852si, 2852sj, 2852sk, 2852sL, 2852sm, 2852sn, 2852snb, 2852so, 2852sp, 2852sq, 2852sr, 2852ss, 2852st, 2852sv, 2852sx, 2852sz, 2852w, 2852yh, 2852yL, 2852yu, 3492w, 3504f, 3504h, 3504k, 3605gb, 3605gf, 3605gL, 3605gn, 3605gp, 3605gx, 3605ic, 3605ih, 3605in, 3605iq, 3605is, 3605iv, 3605kd, 3605kL, 3605km, 3605kn, 3605kp, 3605kr, 3605kt, 3605kv, 3605kx, 3605kz, 3605mb, 3605md, 3605mf, 3605mh, 3605mj, 3605mm, 3605mn, 3605mv, 3605mx, 3605mz, 3605ob, 3605od, 3605of, 3605oh, 3605oj, 3605oL, 3605on, 3605op, 3605or, 3605ot, 3605ov, 3605ox, 3605oz, 3605qb, 3605qd, 3605qg, 3605qh, 3605qhc, 3605qhe, 3605qhg, 3605qhj, 3605qhk, 3605qj, 3605qjd, 3605qjf, 3605qr, 3605qt, 3605qx, 3605qz, 3605sb, 3605sd, 3605sh, 3605sj, 3605sL, 3605sn, 3605sp, 3605sr, 3605st, 3605sv, 3605ud, 3605uh, 3605uv and 3605ux.
Under current law, if a cemetery is abandoned, the respective city, town or municipality having jurisdiction is obliged to assume care for the property. These provisions change the law to require that if a cemetery in Milwaukee County is abandoned or neglected for a period of six months, the city, town or municipality in which the cemetery is located must report the problem to a cemetery authority. The authority then has 90 days (plus one 90-day extension) to address the situation. If the cemetery authority does not succeed with a remedy, a court may appoint a trustee to manage the cemetery and correct existing problems.
The provision also creates a new Cemetery Management Insurance Trust Fund. This fund would consist of revenues collected in Milwaukee County from a $10 filing fee for death certificates and a $1 surcharge on certified copies of death certificates. The amounts available are to be used to fund activities of the trustee appointed to manage the neglected or abandoned cemetery.
I am concerned that the trustee's ability to adequately maintain the cemetery will be linked to the new Cemetery Management Insurance Fund balance. Currently, no other state requires a fee to file a death certificate. This fee could provide a disincentive for individuals to file a death certificate, which could impact the official number of deaths for Milwaukee County as well as limit the liquidity of the new fund.
Also, there has not been a formal inventory to estimate how many neglected cemeteries might require management by a trustee. Nor has there been a study to determine the trustee costs for managing a neglected cemetery. The provision provides no alternate means of payment of trustee costs should the insurance fund become depleted.
For these reasons, I am vetoing this provision in its entirety. Although local units of government in Milwaukee County are naturally concerned with the costs in assuming control of an abandoned cemetery, the provisions in the budget proposal offer questionable relief and would likely prove to be insufficient to accomplish their goals.
35.
Evaluation of Credentialing Fees
Section 9132 (3v)
This section requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct a review to evaluate the methodology used by the Department of Regulation and Licensing for recalculating administrative and enforcement costs as part of fee setting for issuing and renewing credentials.
I am vetoing this section because this review can be completed without a session law requirement.
S355
36.
Inclusion of an Institutional Pharmacist on the Pharmacy Examining Board
Sections 182q, 182r and 9443 (2x)
This provision changes the makeup of the Pharmacy Examining Board to require that one of the seven members appointed to the board shall be employed as an institutional pharmacist.
I am committed to the appointment to the board of individuals who represent diverse aspects of the profession. However, I object to having membership dictated by statute, in this case, and am, therefore, vetoing this provision. Appointments to the board will continue to show the proper balance of interests without this requirement.
VETERANS AFFAIRS
37.
Regional Veterans Claims and Benefits Coordinators
Sections 1451m, 1451n, 1451p, 1451r and 9157 (5mk)
These provisions prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from employing more than eight regional coordinators, more than seven claims officers, more than two mobile claims officers, and more than one claims officer in each of the department's other three regions. In addition, the department is required to study the need for additional mobile claims officers and regional coordinators with the focus of each study to be on needs outside of the southeastern regional service area. Finally, the provisions require that the department consult with and receive the concurrence of a county veterans' service officer organization before submitting a request to the Joint Committee on Finance under a 14-day passive review procedure for additional regional coordinator positions if both the department and the organization find that more positions are needed.
These sections unduly constrain the current statutory authority of the Veterans Affairs Board which oversees the operations of the department and limits the ability and flexibility of the secretary of the department to analyze and accommodate the changing demographics and needs of Wisconsin's veterans. I object to restrictions and am vetoing these provisions. Currently, five committees comprised of eighteen representatives from the County Veterans Service Organization and 21 veterans service organizations provide counsel and recommendations on department programs and processes. The board also receives public testimony. This is sufficient oversight. The proposed language mandating consultation or concurrence from advocacy groups regarding internal staffing management is unacceptable.
38.
Veterans Outreach Initiative
Sections 788s, 788sf, 792j, 1458m and 9157 (6c)
These provisions require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide funding for federal benefits dispute training for the Wisconsin Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., and to provide funding to the Armitage House for homeless veterans in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
I am vetoing the requirement to provide funding to the Wisconsin Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., because I object to the duplication this creates in services already available under existing department programs. The National Vietnam Veterans of America Office has approved the department's use of contractual claims training in place of National Vietnam Veterans of America sponsored training to meet accreditation requirements. There is no need for additional funding to support other training for this purpose.
I am also vetoing the requirement to provide funding to the Armitage House in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Although it is a worthy project and one that could be considered for increased funding in the future, I believe it is inappropriate to require the department to provide a grant to one specific program housing homeless veterans when the department already operates the Veterans Assistance Program which provides housing and veterans rehabilitation services to homeless veterans in several locations around the state.
39.
Veterans Emergency Aid Pilot Program
Sections 788s, 9157 (8c) and 9457 (3c)
These provisions establish a Veterans Emergency Aid Pilot Program in Monroe County. This program requires the department to provide a grant of $20,000 to the Monroe County Veterans Service Office to administer an emergency assistance program to low-income veterans receiving services from the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah or at the Veterans Assistance Center in the same location. The program would allow the Monroe County Veterans Service Officer to determine eligibility of veterans for aid, which may consist of emergency services such as transportation services, food or temporary housing.
I am vetoing this program because it duplicates existing federal, state and local emergency aid facilities, programs and services to low-income veterans currently in use in Monroe County and surrounding counties. Discharge planning programs from the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Veterans Assistance Center at Tomah offer adequate referral services for veterans in transition from those facilities into, and around, Monroe County. The department currently operates the Veterans Assistance Program, which offers services to homeless veterans, and the Subsistence Aid Grant Program, which offers financial assistance for the same transportation services, food and temporary housing as the proposed emergency aid pilot program would provide. In addition, the proposed program would establish an inequitable use of a veterans trust fund allocation to one county and may establish a precedent in which multiple counties may pursue funding for similar purposes.
S356
F.
TAX, FINANCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADMINISTRATION
Division of Gaming – License Requirements for Simulcast Racing
Sections 3713c, 3713d and 3713e
These provisions change the license requirements for simulcast racing. These sections would increase the number of live race performances from 250 to 275 performances, remove the requirement that simulcast wagering be conducted at a track only as an adjunct to live performance wagering and remove the requirement that simulcast revenues could not be a primary source of revenue.
I am vetoing these sections because I am concerned about this expansion of gaming. These sections could give rise to a virtual off-track betting facility at a racetrack. I believe such an expansion is beyond the scope envisioned in the constitutional amendment that originally authorized pari-mutuel wagering at racetracks. Such an expansion does not belong in the budget but should instead be subject to extensive legislative scrutiny and should be considered as separate legislation.
