The following are highlights from the report:
•The Wisconsin Food Security Consortium (WFSC) remained active during 2009:
•Early in the year, the Consortium elected to visit other areas of the state to study local issues which have an impact on food security rather than having all quarterly meetings in Madison. The steering committee visited the Minocqua/Rhinelander area in June and Milwaukee in November.
•The WFSC wrote letters of recommendation for two funded projects: the Waukesha County U.W. Extension - $35,296, and the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association - $13,900.
•The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contains a number of provisions designed to strengthen Wisconsin's food assistance safety net:
•FoodShare: Provides a 14 percent increase in benefits, effective April 2009, as well as additional funding for administrative costs.
•The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Provides $100 million to purchase food to distribute through food pantries, soup kitchens and meal sites as well as $50 million over two years for additional storage and distribution costs.
•Wisconsin FoodShare Program participation increased 37 percent statewide (between August 2008 and August 2009).
We will continue to build on these successes to fight hunger in Wisconsin, especially among our most vulnerable citizens.
Sincerely,
Karen E. Timberlake
Secretary
Referred to committee on Children and Families.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
State Claims Board
Madison
December 17, 2009
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Enclosed is the report of the State Claims Board covering the claims heard on December 2, 2009.
Those claims approved for payment pursuant to the provisions of §
16.007 and
775.05 Stats., have been paid directly by the Board.
This report is for the information of the Legislature. The Board would appreciate your acceptance and publication of it in the Journal to inform the members of the Legislature.
Sincerely,
Cari Anne Renlund
Secretary
Referred to committee on State Affairs and Homeland Security.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Justice
Madison
December 18, 2009
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Section
165.90 of the Wisconsin Statutes requires the Department of Justice to report on the performance of cooperative county-tribal law enforcement programs receiving aid under this section. This letter constitutes our report.
The Department of Justice's County-Tribal Law Enforcement Grant Program continues to help local law enforcement provide needed services in Native American communities. In addition, this program helps build a cooperative atmosphere and positive relationship between law enforcement and tribal governments and communities. I am pleased to share information regarding this important program with you.
Sincerely,
J.B. Van Hollen
Attorney General
Referred to committee on Criminal Justice.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
December 18, 2009
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
We have completed a financial audit of the Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc.'s Television Fund and Radio Fund, as requested by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. The Foundation was organized by the Educational Communications Board under s.
39.12 and ch.
181, Wis. Stats., on September 29, 1983, for the exclusive purpose of raising funds for the Wisconsin educational television and radio networks.
We completed this audit in conjunction with our audits of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board television and radio networks, reports 09-16 and 09-17. The Foundation's financial operations are separate and independent from the State of Wisconsin. The Foundation's financial statements are presented in two separate funds (radio and television) to accommodate reporting requirements and the Educational Communications Board's desire to maintain the funds separately.
Our audit report contains the Foundation's financial statements and related notes as of and for the periods ending June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008. We were able to issue an unqualified independent auditor's report on these statements.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Educational Communications Board staff during the audit.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
December 18, 2009
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
We have completed a financial audit of the State of Wisconsin Educational Communications Board (ECB) Radio Network to meet our audit requirements under s.
13.94, Wis. Stats., and as requested by ECB to fulfill the audit requirements of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Corporation requires audited financial statements of public broadcasting entities to determine future funding levels.
ECB, which is an agency of the State of Wisconsin, operates a radio network of 13 FM stations and 1 AM station, as well as a television network of 5 digital stations. The ECB Radio Network reported $9.4 million in support and revenue during fiscal year 2008-09, including state support, member contributions, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and various other grants.
Our audit report contains the ECB Radio Network's financial statements and related notes as of and for the periods ending June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008. We were able to issue an unqualified independent auditor's report on these statements. However, our report on internal control and compliance includes a recommendation that ECB implement additional steps and safeguards in its financial reporting process to prevent and detect financial statement errors.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by ECB staff during the audit.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
December 18, 2009
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
We have completed a financial audit of the State of Wisconsin Educational Communications Board (ECB) Television Network to meet our audit requirements under s.
13.94, Wis. Stats., and as requested by ECB to fulfill the audit requirements of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Corporation requires audited financial statements of public broadcasting entities to determine future funding levels.
ECB, which is an agency of the State of Wisconsin, operates television network of 5 digital stations, as well as a radio network of 13 FM stations and 1 AM station. The ECB Television Network reported $10.3 million in support and revenue during fiscal year 2008-09, including state support, member contributions, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and various other grants.
Our audit report contains the ECB Television Network's financial statements and related notes as of and for the periods ending June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008. We were able to issue an unqualified independent auditor's report on these statements. However, our report on internal control and compliance includes a recommendation that ECB implement additional steps and safeguards in its financial reporting process to prevent and detect financial statement errors.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by ECB staff during the audit.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor