Madison, WI 53708-8952
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
I would like to request that my name be added as a co-sponsor to Assembly Bills 151, 385 and 387.
Thank you for your assistance. Please contact them if you have any question.
Sincerely,
Ron Brown
State Senator
31st District
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June 15, 2005
Patrick Fuller, Assembly Chief Clerk
P.O. Box 8952
17 West Main St., Suite 208
Madison, WI 53708-8952
Dear Chief Clerk Fuller:
I would like to request that my name be removed from Assembly Bill198.
Sincerely,
Josh Zepnick
State Representative
9th Assembly District
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Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
June 15, 2005
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
As required by s.
13.94(1)(dm), Wis. Stats., we have completed our annual financial audit of State Fair Park. We have issued an unqualified opinion on State Fair Park's fiscal year (FY) 2003-04 financial statements. In addition, we followed up on audit findings and recommendations included in our 2004 report (report 04-5).
Expenditures have exceeded revenues in each of the past five years. Since FY 1999-2000, State Fair Park has a reported a total deficit of $7.3 million, including a $1.8 million deficit in FY 2003-04.
Our 2004 report noted that poor business planning and optimistic financial projections for three entities located on the fairgrounds - the Milwaukee Mile, the Pettit National Ice Center, and the Wisconsin Exposition Center - had contributed to the decline in State Fair Park's financial condition. As we recommended, all three entities have continued to refine and modify their business plans. However, the 2004 business plans were also overly optimistic, and actual revenues have consistently fallen short of what was projected. In addition, the business plans lack both specific details as to how initiatives will be implemented and performance measurements by which to evaluate their success.
State Fair Park projects that in FY 2004-05, expenditures will exceed revenues by as much as $3.9 million. To limit future demands on State Fair Park, agency officials have expressed their intention to lease the Milwaukee Mile to a private promoter effective January 1, 2006. Options to sell the Pettit National Ice Center are also being explored. Given these significant changes, we include a recommendation that State Fair Park report to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on its plans for improving the fairgrounds' financial condition, including long-term plans for its organizational structure and its relationships with the Pettit National Ice Center and the Wisconsin Exposition Center.
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We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of State Fair Park. A response from State Fair Park's executive director follows the appendix.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
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Communications
June 15, 2005
The Honorable John Gard
Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Dear Speaker Gard:
I am requesting that you direct the Chief Clerk to enter the attached remarks made on June 14, 2005 before the State Assembly into the Journal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Adam Peer in my office.
Sincerely,
Ann Nischke
State Representative
97th Assembly District
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Remarks of the Honorable Ann M. Nischke before the Wisconsin State Assembly
"We recently celebrated Memorial Day and today is Flag Day. As legislators we are often called upon to share our thoughts on such occasions. I know I am not the only legislator in this room who feels that the valor shown by our hometown heroes has forever changed the way we will view these holidays.
During the War for Independence, General Washington created a recognition of the bravery of his soldiers. He called it the Badge of Military Merit and it later became known as the Purple Heart. Soldiers demonstrating gallantry and extraordinary fidelity were awarded this distinction and enrolled in the Book of Merit.
Today, we gather in Wisconsin's great hall of democracy to celebrate another patriot's life. Though I never met him, I've come to know Bobby Warns through his family, including his new baby girl Peyton, and his friends. Meeting the family of Bobby Warns has been so humbling. I can see in the eyes of his parents and his sister the love and pride that binds their family together. I can see their grief and sacrifice as well.
I stand in awe that Bobby was willing to leave the blessings of his loving home to take up arms and become one of our nations' warriors. He risked his life to defend the people of the United States and spread freedom throughout the world.
Mr. & Mrs. Warns, Bobby means so much to all of us. He lived the ideals upon which this country was founded. Faith and trust in God fortified Bobby in the same way it did the patriots who first carved a nation out of separate colonies. Bobby leaves his family, his new little girl and all of us with an astounding legacy of freedom.
Please listen with me to an excerpt from the Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter
5.
"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." We join Bobby's family in mourning their loss.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Bobby's mission was righteous, his cause just, and his calling honorable.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Bobby's vocation was unselfish, his motives chaste, and his faith was firm.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Bobby's was a mission of peace, to bring liberty and freedom to those who did not know it. His sacrifice is a testament to his faith.
"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven."
Mr. & Mrs. Warns, you nurtured a gregarious young man who grew up to become a proud United States Marine, fortified in the faith you shared with him. We grieve his departure yet we rejoice in the anticipation of being united with him again in heaven. Thank you for sharing Bobby with us."
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Remarks of Mr. Robert Warns I, before the Wisconsin State Assembly.
"My name is Robert Warns, I am the father of Marine Corporal, Robert P. Warns, II. Bobby was killed in action, November 8th, in Iraq.
On January 30th and 31st, my wife, Bridget and I were watching the news. Seeing the election in Iraq and their success, was a very important thing to us. We watched people celebrate Freedom provided, in part, by our son. Freedom given to those who could not have attained it otherwise. Our brave Marine made his mark in world history.
Bobby, the Marines killed and wounded with him; the Marines of Golf Co., were in Iraq protecting us here at home and furthering freedom. They were providing protection for us and enabling freedom for all. Our service people on duty today, continue to provide that protection and freedom.
Our sadness runs deep, our pain is indescribable. However, we are all on this earth for a relatively short time, no matter how long we live. What we do with our lives, what can be called our legacy, is that which we are to be judged. Bobby achieved a life for which any patriot, citizen, or man should be proud to claim. Our son lives on in our hearts."
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Representative Vrakas asked unanimous consent for a leave of absence for part of today's session for Representatives Kleefisch and Lamb. Granted.
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Representative Turner asked unanimous consent for a leave of absence for part of today's session for Representatives Colon and Zepnick. Granted.
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Representative Huebsch asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and that Assembly Bill 214 be withdrawn from today's calendar and taken up at this time. Granted.
Assembly Bill 214
Relating to: abuse of hazardous substances and providing penalties.
The question was: Shall Assembly amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 214 be adopted?
Motion carried.
The question was: Shall Assembly Bill 214 be ordered engrossed and read a third time?
Motion carried.
Representative Huebsch asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and that Assembly Bill 214 be given a third reading. Granted.
The question was: Assembly Bill 214 having been read three times, shall the bill be passed?
Motion carried.
Representative Kleefisch asked unanimous consent to be recorded as voting "Aye" on the previous question. Granted.
Representative Huebsch asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and that Assembly Bill 214 be immediately messaged to the Senate. Granted.
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Representative Vrakas asked unanimous consent that the Assembly stand recessed. Granted.
The Assembly stood recessed.
10:30 A.M.
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