Assembly Chief Clerk
__________________
Speaker's Communications
November 3, 2005
Mr. Patrick Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
17 West Main Street, Suite 208
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Patrick:
I have appointed Representative Vos to fill the current vacancy on the Joint Survey Committee on Retirement Systems.
Sincerely,
john g. gard
Speaker
__________________
Reference Bureau Corrections
Assembly Amendment 1 to Assembly Bill 709
1. Page 1, line 2: delete that line.
__________________
Governor's Veto Message
November 3, 2005
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 499. This bill would criminalize some of the most promising scientific techniques used by stem cell researchers, not only potentially delaying cures to some of humanity's oldest and deadliest diseases but also costing Wisconsin jobs in the future.
While we can all agree that human cloning is not acceptable, it has already been prohibited by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The real purpose of this bill is to restrict stem cell research, which holds enormous potential for our state as well as the promise of curing juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and Parkinson's disease. Allowing our scientists to search for cures to diseases isn't about being liberal or conservative. It's about being compassionate. And respect for human life means you don't turn your back on cures that can save lives.
It is a sad irony that a bill criminalizing promising scientific research comes to my desk one month after Wisconsin was designated as the nation's Stem Cell Bank by the National Institutes of Health. This bill sends the wrong signal to the nation about Wisconsin. Wisconsin should continue to recruit and welcome the nation's best scientists, not treat them like criminals.
Finally, this bill would undo all of our efforts to expand biomedical and medical technology businesses. Wisconsin biotech firms already employ approximately 22,000 people and contribute $6.9 billion annually to the state economy.
A577
It is unfortunate that the United States Congress has so far turned its back on stem cell research, refusing to support important legislation to accelerate stem cell research. We should not follow their example in Wisconsin.
I hope that this veto will send a clear message to the Legislature, the scientific community, and to families who are hoping and praying for cures: Wisconsin will remain at the forefront of stem cell research.
Respectfully submitted,
James Doyle
Governor
__________________
Communications
State of Wisconsin
Revisor of Statutes Bureau
Madison
DATE: November 1, 2005
TO: Patrick E. Fuller
Assembly Chief Clerk
Robert Marchant
Senate Chief Clerk
FROM: Gary L. Poulson
Assistant Revisor of Statutes
SUBJECT: Rules published in the October 31, 2005,
Wisconsin Administrative
Register, No. 598.
The following rules have been published:
part eff. 04-01-2006
part eff. 02-01-2006
__________________
November 2, 2005
Representative Al Ott, Chairperson
Assembly Committee on Agriculture
323 North, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Representative Ott,
This is to inform you, effective immediately, Representative John Steinbrink will be replacing Representative Christine Sinicki on the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. As you know, Representative Steinbrink has a broad range of knowledge on agricultural matters, and I am confident that he will be an excellent addition to the committee.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss this matter with me personally, please feel free to contact my office. Thank you in advance for your immediate attention.
Sincerely,
Jim Kreuser
Assembly Democratic Leader
__________________
Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources
Madison
November 1, 2005
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Attached to this letter is the Environmental Improvement Fund Biennial Report for the 2003-2005 biennium. The report provides information on the activities and operations of the program during the previous biennium. This report is submitted in accordance with s.
281.59(3)(j), Wis. Stats.
If you have any questions regarding the Biennial Report, please contact Bob Ramharter at 266-3916 or Frank Hoadley at 266-2305.
Sincerely,
Michele Young
Director
Bureau of Community Financial Assistance
Department of Natural Resources
Frank Hoadley
Capital Finance Director
Department of Administration
Referred to committee on Natural Resources.
__________________
Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
October 27, 2005
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
A578
As required by s.
13.94(1)(de), Wis. Stats., we have completed a financial audit of the Local Government Property Insurance Fund, which provides property insurance to counties, towns, villages, school districts, and other local units of government. The Property Fund is administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). As of June 30, 2004, it insured $35.9 billion in property owned by 1,203 local units of government. We have provided an unqualified auditor's report on the Property Fund's financial statements for the fiscal years (FYs) ending June 30, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.
Because of changes in reinsurance coverage and increases in claims, the Property Fund experienced net losses of $8.1 million for the three-year period ending June 30, 2003. In response, OCI increased policyholder premiums. Following this increase, the Property Fund ended FY 2003-04 with net income of $9.2 million and a surplus of $24.5 million. OCI monitors the surplus level and believes it is currently appropriate in light of recent loss experience and recent changes in reinsurance.
In completing our audit, we encountered a serious documentation problem: a subcontractor for the previous fund administrator destroyed nearly all claim files for FYs 2000-01 and 2001-02. In order to provide the necessary documentation and assurances that claim payments were properly made, OCI had the destroyed claim files re-created with the assistance of the current fund administrator and local governments. OCI was able to provide an adequate level of documentation to allow us to provide an unqualified opinion on the financial statements.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by OCI staff and the private firms responsible for administration of the Property Fund. OCI's response follows our report.
Respectfully submitted,
janice mueller
