April 30, 2004
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
I am pleased to present to you the Wisconsin Rail Issues and Opportunities Report. This report outlines a number of existing and emerging issues for rail transportation in Wisconsin. It will serve as a resource for Governor Jim Doyle and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as we seek to provide the infrastructure and services necessary to Grow Wisconsin's economy.
In the 1800's, Wisconsin built itself through a rail network. Today, while its role has certainly changed, many sectors of our economy still rely on rail transportation. Wisconsin's power plants, paper producers, ethanol plants and other major industries ship and receive vast amounts of freight by rail. Last year, Amtrak carried almost 1,200 passengers a day in the business-oriented corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. Clearly, we need to understand the ways that rail serves the economy to build for the future.
In presenting this report, I want to thank the many organizations and agencies that contributed time and ideas to this effort. In recognition that rail is an important element to Grow Wisconsin, the report reflects input from rail shippers, local agencies, economic development corporations, labor unions, tribes, statewide organizations and, of course, the railroad operators themselves. While this report does not always outline solutions, it carefully examines the foremost issues from the perspective of all rail stakeholders.
Thank you for your interest in this report. I encourage you to continue to stay involved with the department's efforts to create and maintain a high-quality transportation system for Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Frank J. Busalacchi
Secretary
Referred to committee on Transportation.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Health and Family Services
Madison
May 3, 2004
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
The attached report is submitted to the Legislature pursuant to s.
46.27 (11g) and s.
46.277 (5m) of the state statutes. The state statutes require the Department of Health and Family Services to submit an annual report for the Community Options Program (COP) and the Home and Community-Based Waivers (COP-W/CIP II). The attached report describes the persons served, program expenditures, and services delivered through the COP, COP-Waiver and CIP II programs in calendar year 2002.
The Community Options Program provides services to people who are elderly or who have a physical, developmental or mental disability, and is closely coordinated with all of Wisconsin's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers. With the Department's oversight, county agencies are able to ensure that a comprehensive and individualized care plan is provided, while maintaining program flexibility and integrity, and maximizing federal matching funds.
Sincerely,
Helene Nelson
Secretary
Referred to committee on Aging and Long-term Care.
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Milwaukee Public Schools
Department of Business Services
Madison
May 3, 2004
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
According to Wisconsin School Law 121.87 in accordance with 13.172, the Board is required by law to submit the enclosed reports. School Law 121.87 states "...annually by May 1 the board of school directors of the school district operating under ch.
119 shall submit a report to the legislature under s.13.172 (2) that specifies the number, percentage, race, sex, grade and attendance area of pupils transferred outside their attendance area without written consent under s.121.85 (6)(am)."
Enclosed you will find a report that meet the requirements stated above. The total number of intra-district students bused under the Chapter
220 designation for the school year 2003-2004 equals 16,003. Of that number 711 either did not return a consent form or checked box indicating no consent. Students who have moved during the school year and no longer require parental consent were subtracted from the non-returned figure. The district did meet the requirement of ninety-five percent (95%) parents providing consent.
Sincerely,
Michael Turza
Director
Referred to committee on Education.
