Sincerely,
Burneatta Bridge
Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
September 11, 2003
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We are required by s.
13.94(1)(dm), Wis. Stats., to conduct an annual financial audit of State Fair Park. Because State Fair Park staff have been unable to compile complete and accurate financial information, financial statements for fiscal year (FY) 2001-02 are not yet available for us to audit. We believe complete financial statements for FY 2001-02 and FY 2002-03 will be available in 2004, at which time we expect to render an opinion.
Based on financial data we were able to gather, we found that State Fair Park's financial condition continues to deteriorate. In FY 2002-03, total expenses exceeded revenues by $4.5 million, As a result, State Fair Park for the first time in recent history reported a cash deficit as of June 30, 2003.
Three private entities - the contractor that until recently promoted and sponsored events at the newly renovated Milwaukee Mile racetrack; the not-for-profit State Fair Park Exposition Center, Inc., which manages the new $37.8 million Wisconsin Exposition Center; and the Pettit National Ice Center - have contributed to State Fair Park's deteriorating financial condition. In every case, overly optimistic financial projections that were used to support either new construction or renovation have not been achieved. Further, State Fair Park incurred a net loss of over $341,700 in Milwaukee Mile racing revenue in 2002 and spent an additional $250,000 to terminate its agreement with the racing contractor just two days before the start of the 2003 racing season. Negotiated agreements that favor the Exposition Center at the expense of State Fair Park have resulted in reduced revenue and significant maintenance and other costs, and the Pettit Center owed State Fair Park nearly $1.3 million in delinquent rent payments as of June 2003.
State Fair Park's ability to meet its debt service obligations will be limited if program revenues do not increase. As the State Fair Park Board, the Legislature, and the Governor consider the future of State Fair Park, they may wish to address our recommendations for improving its financial operations, its management structure, and its relationships with private entities.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of State Fair Park. A response from State Fair Park's chief executive officer follows the appendices.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
September 16, 2003
To 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
Bird, LuAnn League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Inc
Boies, Cathy Customers First! Coalition
Broydrick, William Enhanced Capital Partners LLC
Elverman, Timothy J Enhanced Capital Partners LLC
Fitzgerald, Moira E Enhanced Capital Partners LLC
Rezin, Kathleen America Online Inc
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,
R. Roth Judd
Director
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
September 3, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Levin
, Lloyd,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Real Estate Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2007.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Economic Development, Job Creation and Housing.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
September 4, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Sullivan, Kathleen L.,
of Madison, as a member of the Board of Nursing, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2007.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
__________________
Relating to petroleum products.
Submitted by Department of Commerce.
Report received from Agency, September 16, 2003.
Referred to committee on Economic Development, Job Creation and Housing, September 17, 2003.
Relating to the licensing of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, as well as continuing education requirements.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, September 15, 2003.
Referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care, September 17, 2003.
Relating to accepting examinations from the Medical Council of Canada.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, September 15, 2003.
Referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care, September 17, 2003.
__________________
The committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care reports and recommends:
Relating to consulting physicians and changing "athletic trainer" with "licensee."
No action taken.
Relating to miscellaneous amendments to a variety of Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters..administered by the Department of Health and Family Services
No action taken.
Relating to operation of the health insurance risk-sharing plan (HIRSP).
No action taken.
Carol Roessler
Chairperson
__________________
Senate amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 126 offered by Senator Robson.
Senate amendment 2 to Assembly Bill 126 offered by Senator Robson.
Senate amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 175 offered by Senator Robson.
