We attempted to track the cost of complying with state and federal environmental laws, but the information DOT maintains on these expenditures is incomplete. DOT estimates that in FY 2001-02-the latest year for which data are available-these costs totaled $29.1 million; however, contractors provided us with other examples of costs not included in DOT's estimates. We include a recommendation for improving DOT's monitoring of environmental expenditures.
We compared Wisconsin's transportation funding sources, spending, and highway conditions with other midwestern states'. Wisconsin is in the middle in state highway spending and conditions, but it relies on a narrower funding base and is increasingly using bonding for the highway program. As debt service increases, the amount of funds available to support future projects decreases. We list a number of challenges DOT and the Legislature will face as they seek to maintain the existing highways or expand the system to meet safety, economic development, and other needs. We also include a number of recommendations for improving DOT's estimating and cost-reporting processes.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by DOT staff. The agency's response follows the appendices.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 21, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Farmer
, Douglas L.,
of La Crosse, as a member of the Banking Review Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2007.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Agriculture, Financial Institutions and Insurance.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 17, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Landes
, Samuel J.,
of Dane, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreational Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2005.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 21, 2003
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Parr
, Ada Williams,
of Brown Deer, as a member of the Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2006.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
__________________
Relating to extension of disciplinary action time limits.
Submitted by Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Report received from Agency, November 24, 2003.
Referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care, November 26, 2003.
Relating to pipeline safety regulations.
Submitted by Public Service Commission.
Report received from Agency, November 25, 2003.
Referred to committee on Energy and Utilities,
November 26, 2003.
__________________
Chief Clerk's Report
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Bill 170
Presented to the Governor on November 20, 2003.
__________________
Chief Clerk's Report
The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Bill 29
Senate Bill 38
Senate Bill 53
Presented to the Governor on November 24, 2003.
__________________
Corrections In:
2003 Senate joint resolution 47
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(November 24, 2003)
In engrossing, the following correction was made:
1. Page 2, line 7: delete "2nd" and substitute "3rd".
Corrections In:
2003 Senate Bill 313
Prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau
(November 20, 2003)
2. Page 37, line 23: before "individual" insert "an".
