Friday, May 26, 2006
April 2006 Extraordinary Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date:
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Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
Madison
To Whom It May Concern:
Acts, Joint Resolutions and Resolutions deposited in this office have been numbered and published as follows:
Bill Number Act Number Publication Date
Assembly Bill 591431June 5, 2006
Assembly Bill 251432June 5, 2006
Sincerely,
Douglas La Follette
Secretary of State
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Governor's Veto Message
May 26, 2006
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 4 in its entirety. This bill adopts the federal tax treatment of contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs). Assembly Bill 4 would apply retroactively to tax year 2004.
As I have in the past, I am vetoing these HSA provisions. HSAs are inextricably linked to high deductible medical insurance and, therefore, could decrease employer-sponsored insurance coverage. Additionally, HSAs are only viable for healthy persons with higher incomes. As healthy individuals with higher incomes opt out of traditional insurance pools, the risk profiles of these existing health plans will worsen, which in turn will cause insurance companies to raise rates on remaining members likely to be those without any other options.
Finally, Assembly Bill 4 is an expensive bill without a clear and demonstrated benefit for the residents of this state as a whole. The bill would cost taxpayers $50 million, but wouldn't help a single Wisconsin family get health insurance. It's a windfall for wealthy and healthy individuals, but lower and middle-income families would still be struggling to find affordable insurance.
In order for me to consider signing these provisions into law, I believe HSAs must be taken up in the context of a comprehensive health care package that would effectively and affordably address the health care needs of seniors, children, and middle-and low-income families.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doyle
Governor
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May 26, 2006
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 850 in its entirety. The bill modifies the requirements that a pier or wharf may meet to be exempt from current law.
This bill derails a bipartisan agreement reached last month between the DNR, legislators, and environmental and business groups. The compromise outlined mutually acceptable standards for permissible piers and wharves that reasonably balance the rights of waterfront property owners and public access to and enjoyment of the Wisconsin waters. The compromise legislation was based on the combined input of numerous constituents and constituent groups ranging from the Wisconsin Builders Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Association of Lakes and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and incorporated the best available science.
Like a lot of folks in Wisconsin, I have fond memories of going up north for the summer with my parents and enjoying the family pier, and I did the same with my children when they were young. Since I've been Governor, not a single pier has been removed by the DNR, and I expect that trend will continue. Even though the Legislature backed away from the agreement they negotiated, I have issued an Executive Order that requires DNR to hold up its end of the bargain. This will give property owners the certainty they need that they can enjoy the summer without any fear that DNR will take their pier away.
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In short, I want to make clear that the family pier that has long been a source of enjoyment for Wisconsin families will be protected and enjoyed all summer long. While we have to continue to guard against the worst cases of abuse, like someone who might block a narrow river with an unnecessarily long pier, family piers are under no threat this summer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doyle
Governor
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May 26, 2006
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 1182 in its entirety. This bill requires the Secretary of the Department of Administration to submit a report, no later than September 1, 2006, to the Joint Committee on Finance, categorizing any lapses or transfers related to or as a result of the Accountability, Consolidation and Efficiency initiative. The report requires the inclusion of allocations for human resources and payroll functions and server and network support; savings resulting from purchasing and procurement functions; and efficiencies achieved as a result of space management improvements during fiscal year 2005-06.
The Department of Administration has been very open and cooperative with the Legislature on this matter and has regularly provided information to legislators about the success and progress of this initiative. This bill simply adds another layer of bureaucratic red tape and paperwork that would cost the department time and money that could better be used helping taxpayers. The paperwork requirements of this bill are particularly ironic given that the goal of the ACE initiative is to make government less bureaucratic, not more.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doyle
Governor
