Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
September 12, 2006
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 2005-2006 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Cohn, Todd National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
R. Roth Judd
Executive Director
State of Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources
September 13, 2006
The Honorable, The Senate:
As required by s.
292.25, Wis. Stats., the Department of Natural Resources is pleased to submit the attached report regarding the status of the Voluntary party Liability Exemption (VPLE) environmental cleanup process. As required by law, this report is being submitted to the Governor, the Department of Administration, and the Legislature. If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Darsi Foss from my staff at (608) 267-6713.
Sincerely,
Scott Hassett
Secretary
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
September 13, 2006
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed financial audits of Mendota and Winnebago Mental Health Institutes for the period July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005. The audits were requested by the Department of Health and Family Services to comply with requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. We were able to express an unqualified opinion on each Institute's financial statements.
Mendota and Winnebago Mental Health Institutes are licensed and accredited hospitals that provide specialized diagnostic, evaluation, and treatment services for mentally ill children and adults. The Institutes also provide services to forensic patients referred to them through the criminal justice system. The Institutes are funded through a mix of general purpose revenue and program revenue.
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Each Institute reported a net loss for fiscal year 2004-05. Mendota reported a loss of $2.6 million, and Winnebago reported a loss of $1.7 million. In each case, operating revenues did not increase enough to offset increases in operating expenses, such as salary and fringe benefit costs. The Department increased daily patient rates effective October 1, 2005, and it anticipates another rate increase effective October 1, 2006.
As part of our audit, we reviewed the administration of approximately $405,000 in client funds by the Program of Assertive Community Treatment, an outpatient unit of Mendota. To assist clients in managing their own money, staff receive and disburse funds on their behalf. In accepting client funds, the State is responsible for ensuring proper controls are in place to reduce the risks of error or misappropriation. We identified internal control concerns related to client funds administered by the Program of Assertive Community Treatment, including a lack of separation of duties and inadequate documentation.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Health and Family Services staff during our audit. A response from the Department follows our report.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
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Motions Under Senate Rule 98 and Joint Rule 7
for the Month of August 2006
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Fitzgerald, for Troy and Penny Ashburn, on the occasion of being the 2006 Gemuetlichkeit King and Queen.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Hansen, for Elna Baehr, on the occasion of celebrating her 102nd Birthday shared with family and friends.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lasee, for Matthew Bollom, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Ellis, for Quinn Bongers, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Harsdorf, for Erik Bowitz, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for the City of Brodhead, on the occasion of celebrating their Sesquicentennial anniversary.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Jaymes Burns, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Risser, for James Campbell, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Breske, for John Caskey, on the occasion of being presented with the National Weather Service 2006 John Campanius Holm Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Matthew Craig, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Decker, for Irene E. Fallon, on the occasion of her many years of service as the Executive Director of Stepping Stone Inc., and thank her for her years of dedication.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Andrew John Genz, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Decker, for Nils Alan Hansen, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Risser, for Shari Hervig, on the occasion of her retirement after 21 years of service to the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Risser, for Steve Hirsch, on the occasion of his retirement after 33 years of dedicated service with the State Department of Administration.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Jacob Huffman, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Harsdorf, for Danny Hustad, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Matthew Joseph Jeske, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Fitzgerald, for Jim's Cheese Pantry, Inc., on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Michael Andrew Krueger, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Breske, for Charles Longwitz, on the occasion of being presented with the National Weather Service 2006 Thomas Jefferson Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Leo and Dorothy Miller, on the occasion of celebrating their 50th anniversary.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Jonathon Minneci, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
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A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Schultz, for Denny "Murph" Murphy, owner of Murph's Paint & Decorating Center, on the occasion of his many contributions to Darlington as a business owner and in service to the community.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Darling, for Stephen I. Paly, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Darling, for Trevor D. Paull, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Matthew Pirkey, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Schultz, for the Richland County Bank and staff, on the occasion of 125 years of outstanding service to the families and communities it serves.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lasee, for the Rockwell Lime Company of Manitowoc, on the occasion of achieving 100 years of service to the people of Wisconsin and beyond.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Legislature on the motion of Senator Jauch, for Carolyn Sneed, on the occasion of her retirement as executive director for Big Top Chautauqua.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Erpenbach, for Gavin Stormont, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Keith Richard Strasser, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lazich, for Kevin Ronald Strasser, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Reynolds, for Scott Van Asbach, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Lasee, for V. F. W. Post 6179 of Kellnersville, on the occasion of celebrating their 60th Anniversary.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Ellis, for David Vande Walle, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Hansen, for Joseph Walton, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Darling, for Craig Williams, on the occasion of earning and attaining the rank of the Eagle Scout Award.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Hansen, for the family, friends and colleagues of Lt. Arnie W. Wolff, on the occasion of celebrating his remarkable life and extend our deepest sympathies.
A certificate of commendation by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Risser, for Women's Equality Day, on the occasion of honoring the hard work and perseverance of those who have helped secure women's suffrage.
A certificate of congratulations by the Wisconsin Senate on the motion of Senator Breske, for Ralph Zagrzebski, on the occasion of his retirement after years of dedicated service to Wisconsin Public Service.