Our audit report contains our unqualified opinion on the financial statements and related notes. Wisconsin continued to experience higher unemployment rates, reaching a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.8 percent in January 2003. As a result, unemployment benefit payments exceeded employer contributions and other revenues, causing the Unemployment Reserve Fund balance to decline. The June 30, 2004 fund balance of $971.0 million is the lowest fund balance during the past 16 years. In contrast, the fund balance reached a high of $1.9 billion as of June 30, 2000. As required by s.
16.48, Wis. Stats., the Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development recently reported to the Legislature on the overall financial condition and outlook of the Unemployment Reserve Fund, including suggestions for increasing the fund balance to ensure sufficient reserves are maintained.
Accompanying the financial statements is the Schedule of Cash Balance Related to Taxable Employers. This cash balance is used to determine the tax rate schedule that applies to taxable employers. Section
108.18(3m), Wis. Stats., currently requires the second-highest tax rate schedule to be applied when the cash balance as of June 30 is between $300 million and $900 million. Because the June 30, 2004 cash balance related to taxable employers was $812.3 million, the second-highest of the four tax rate schedules will be applied to taxable employers in calendar year 2005. It is estimated that the higher tax rates will require employers to pay an additional $30.0 million into the Unemployment Reserve Fund during 2005.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Workforce Development staff during the audit.
Sincerely,
JANICE MUELLER
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
February 1, 2005
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 2005 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Bablitch, Kelly Milwaukee County
Beitlich, Susan Wisconsin Farmers Union
Bentley, Marc S Marten Transport
Bentley, Marc S Truck Rental & Leasing
Association of Wisconsin (TRALA of Wisconsin)
Bergersen, Gunnar Lake States Lumber Association
Bergersen, Gunnar Railway Supply Institute
Bergersen, Gunnar Timber Producers Association of Michigan & Wisconsin Inc
Bergersen, Gunnar Wisconsin Fireworks Association
Boetcher, David International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Construction Electrician Local Unions
Boryczka, Nicole National Association of Theatre Owners of Wisconsin &
Upper Michigan
Boutwell, Philip Rock County
Broydrick, William Independence First Inc
Broydrick, William Northwestern Mutual
Busalacchi, Maureen O. Smokefree Wisconsin
Cady, Stephen Milwaukee County
Carey, Ray Deloitte
Christianson, Peter C Northwest Airlines, Inc.
Christianson, Peter C Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance
Christianson, Peter C Wisconsin Land Title Association
Condo, Joseph Calpine
de la Rosa, Roy Milwaukee County
Decker, Chris Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin
Disch, Kent Madison Area Builders
Association
Donovan, David Northern States Power d/b/a Xcel Energy
Early, Annie Wisconsin Automatic Fire
Sprinkler Coalition
Elliott, Brian Securities Industry Association
Elverman, Timothy J Milwaukee Area Technical
College
Elverman, Timothy J Milwaukee Metropolitan
Sewerage District
Elverman, Timothy J Northwestern Mutual
Essie, Patrick National Association of Settlement Purchasers
Essie, Patrick Wisconsin Credit Union League
Fonfara, Thomas Northwest Airlines, Inc.
Foti, Steven Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Foti, Steven Roeschen's Omnicare
French, Ann Marie National Association of Settlement Purchasers
Geiger, Karen Cobalt Corporation/Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin
Grendahl, Leslie Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Hamm, Don National Farmers Organization
Handrick, Joey Wisconsin Society of
Anesthesiologists
Hanson, Andrew Midwest Environmental
Advocates, Inc.
Hanson, Peter Wisconsin Restaurant
Association
Hanson, Thomas Roeschen's Omnicare
Hanson, Thomas Wisconsin Society of
Anesthesiologists
Heifetz, Michael Navitus Health Solutions
Hoven, Timothy AFSCME Council 11
Kaminski, Andrea League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Inc
Kammer, Peter Wisconsin Credit Union League
Kaufman, Sanford Sanofi Pasteur
Kelly, Genie Wisconsin Utilities Association
Inc
Kilgore, Kathleen Wisconsin Community Papers
Knapp, Randall R Wisconsin Propane Gas
Association Inc
Krings, Jerome NFO, Inc.
Kussow, Michelle Northwest Airlines, Inc.
Larson, Rebecca Northern States Power d/b/a Xcel Energy
Lawton, Elizabeth Midwest Environmental
Advocates, Inc.
Leonard, Ramie Dane County Cities & Villages Association
S64
Lump, Edward Wisconsin Restaurant
Association
Martinez, Lupe United Migrant Opportunity
Services/UMOS Inc
McClenahan, William Calpine
McCoshen, William J K12 Inc
McDowell, Kelly Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
McIntosh, Forbes Dane County Cities & Villages Association
McMurray, Susan AFSCME Council 11
Mettner, Michelle Independence First Inc
Meyer, George Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
Mielke, John Associated Builders and
Contractors of Wisconsin Inc
Morrison, James Wisconsin Public Service
Corporation
Parr, Gail Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Partenfelder-Moede, Peggy Wisconsin Credit Union League
Petak, George Securities Industry Association
Petersen, Eric J Cobalt Corporation/Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin
Petersen, Eric J K12 Inc
Quick, Joseph Madison Metropolitan School
District
Radke, Steven M Northwestern Mutual
Ranous, Jeffrey American Heart Association
