As requested by the Public Service Commission (PSC), we have completed a financial audit of the Universal Service Fund, which was established to ensure that all state residents receive essential telecommunications services and have access to advanced telecommunications capabilities. Our audit report contains our unqualified opinion on the Fund's financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001 and 2000.
The Universal Service Fund is funded through assessments of telecommunications providers, which totaled $19.6 million in fiscal year (FY) 2000-01. The largest program supported by the fund is the Educational Telecommunications Access Program, which is administered by the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) Board. During FY 2000-01, $10.5 million, or 59.4 percent of total fund expenditures, was spent on subsidies and grants for data lines and video links for schools, libraries, and others under this program.
Other programs supported by the Fund are operated by the PSC. Historically, expenditures for these programs have been significantly less than annual program budgets. For example, in FY 1999-2000, the budget for PSC-operated programs was $8.0 million, but expenditures totaled only $2.7 million. Although expenditures increased 69.3 percent during FY 2000-01 as the result of the implementation of new programs, modification of existing programs, and increased outreach efforts, PSC expenditures and outstanding encumbrances totaling $5.8 million were less than the budget of $6.9 million during FY 2000-01. As the result of recent legislation, the PSC may not assess nor than $5.0 million in FY 2003-04, and $6.0 million in FY 2004-05 and each year thereafter for PSC-operated programs.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff at the PSC, TEACH, and the Fund's administrator, Williams Young, LLC, during the audit.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission
The Honorable, The Legislature:
The following is the Biennial Report of the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission for the 1999-2001 biennium. The report represents a compilation of the statistical and subjective record of the agency over this period. The agency continues to maintain its statewide and national recognition for competence, fairness and integrity as the administrative agency for the Wisconsin Labor Relations Statutes.
As a Commission, we look forward to maintaining that hard working reputation through the continued exercise of diligence and professionalism in the performance of our duties.
Sincerely,
Steven R. Sorenson
Chairperson
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction
August 23, 2002
The Honorable, The Senate:
Pursuant to s. 15.377(8), Wis. Stats., enclosed please find a list of nominees to the Professional Standards Council for Teachers. These individuals were selected based upon organizational recommendations as prescribed in statute. Your confirmation of the appointees is requested.
Sincerely,
ELIZABETH BURMASTER
State Superintendent
Xiong , Kou Y., of Menomonie, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2004.
Read and referred to committee on Education.
Smith-Gross, Muriel, of Milwaukee, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2003.
Read and referred to committee on Education.
Lewno , Pat, of Racine, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2005.
S789 Read and referred to committee on Education.
Coballes-Vega, Carmen, of Oshkosh, as a member of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2005.
Read and referred to committee on Education.
__________________
referrals and receipt of committee reports concerning proposed administrative rules
State of Wisconsin
Revisor of Statutes Bureau
September 1, 2002
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following rules have been published:
Sincerely,
GARY L. POULSON
Deputy Revisor
__________________
Relating to time limits for applications for waterway and wetland permits.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Withdrawn by Agency, August 28, 2002.
Relating to lead and copper monitoring and treatment requirements for public water systems.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to wetland conservation activities.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to the development of an aquifer storage recovery well or the operation of an ASR system by a municipal water utility.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to permit and water quality certification time limits, exempt activities in nonfederal wetlands and the identification and delineation of nonfederal wetlands.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to snowmobile rail crossings.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to the regulation of fishing rafts on the Wolf river and its tributaries.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to department procedures for administrative hearings.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to transitional treatment.
Submitted by Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
Report received from Agency, August 26, 2002.
Referred to committee on Insurance, Tourism, and Transportation, August 28, 2002 .
Relating to recycling efficiency incentive grants.
Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.
Report received from Agency, August 28, 2002.
Referred to committee on Environmental Resources, August 28, 2002 .
Loading...
Loading...