Senate Bill 138
Relating to: creating an income and franchise tax credit for motor vehicles that use gasoline and ethanol mixtures as fuel and for fuel efficient hybrid motor vehicles.
By
Senators
Harsdorf, Kreitlow, Sullivan, Schultz, Taylor and Erpenbach; cosponsored by Representatives Richards, Petrowski, Wood, Ballweg, Spanbauer and Ripp.
To committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue.
__________________
The committee on Agriculture and Higher Education reports and recommends:
Davis
, Danae,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2011.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Drew
, John,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Falbo
, Michael,
of Franklin, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Opgenorth, Kevin,
of Platteville, as a member of the Board of Regents, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2010.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Walsh
, David,
of Madison, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Womack
, Betty,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Kathleen Vinehout
Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 25, 2009
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of mental health care services in adult correctional facilities, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In fiscal year (FY) 2007-08, expenditures for inmate mental health care totaled approximately $59.8 million. In June 2008, 6,957 inmates, or 31.0 percent of all inmates incarcerated in adult correctional facilities, were identified as mentally ill, including 299 inmates at the Wisconsin Resource Center operated by the Department of Health Services (DHS). For the two-year period from June 2006 through June 2008, the inmate population increased by 3.9 percent but the number of mentally ill inmates increased by 14.3 percent.
In FY 2007-08, the Department of Corrections (DOC) had 127.35 authorized full-time equivalent positions to provide mental health services, including psychologists, crisis intervention workers, and other mental health staff. A range of mental health services and programs is provided. Psychotropic medications are prescribed by psychiatrists, who are typically limited-term employees. Because most medications are delivered by correctional officers rather than health services staff, we include a recommendation that DOC ensure all officers receive appropriate training in medication delivery.
Mentally ill inmates have a disproportionate effect on safety and discipline in adult correctional facilities. For example, during our review period they accounted for more than 90.0 percent of self-harm incidents, 80.0 percent of inmate suicides, and nearly 80.0 percent of assaults on staff. Mentally ill inmates are also overrepresented in segregation. We include recommendations for better information and training to improve safety for both inmates and staff.
DOC has taken steps to improve inmate mental health care in recent years, including at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, where a 2008 settlement agreement with the federal Department of Justice sets specific benchmarks for improving mental health care services. Setting priorities for future improvements will be important as the State seeks to improve the provision of inmate mental health services at a time of significant budget constraints.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by DOC and DHS staff. Responses from both agencies follow our report.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
By Patrick E. Fuller, chief clerk.
Mr. President:
I am directed to inform you that the Assembly has passed and asks concurrence in:
Assembly Bill 43
Adopted and asks concurrence in:
Assembly Joint Resolution
28
Assembly Joint Resolution
34
Assembly Joint Resolution
35
Amended and concurred in as amended:
Senate Bill 12
(Assembly Amendment 1 Adopted)
Concurred in:
Senate Bill 9
Senate Joint Resolution
17
Senate Joint Resolution
19
Senate Joint Resolution
20
Senate Joint Resolution
21
__________________
Assembly Bill
43
Relating to: designating portions of the Totogatic River as a wild river.
By Representatives Milroy, Hraychuck, Hubler, Black, Sherman, Soletski, Berceau, Jorgensen, Spanbauer, Mason and Danou; cosponsored by Senators Jauch, Lassa, Hansen, Kedzie, Lehman, Risser and Wirch.
Read first time and referred to committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources.
Assembly Joint Resolution 28
Relating to: commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.
By Representatives Black, Garthwaite, Hilgenberg, Nerison and Clark; cosponsored by Senators Schultz, Miller and Kapanke.
Read and referred to committee on Senate Organization.
Assembly Joint Resolution 34
Relating to: the life and public service of James A. McCann.
By Representatives Kessler, Bies, Fields, Hebl, Pope-Roberts, Richards, Staskunas, Townsend and A. Williams; cosponsored by Senators Taylor, Coggs, Lehman and Plale.
Read and referred to committee on Senate Organization.
Assembly Joint Resolution 35
Relating to: commending the Gundersen Lutheran Health System on being recognized as the first medical facility in the nation to achieve a top rating from the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers.
By Representatives Shilling, Huebsch, Benedict, Berceau, Bies, Brooks, Cullen, Kessler, Nerison, Petrowski, Pope-Roberts, Radcliffe, Richards, Seidel, Townsend, Vruwink, M. Williams, Young and Bernard Schaber; cosponsored by Senators Kapanke, Cowles, Darling, Lassa, Lazich, Miller, Olsen, Plale, Taylor and Vinehout.
Read and referred to committee on Senate Organization.
__________________
Chief Clerk Marchant, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Adjourned.
3:46 P.M.
