Friday, February 11, 2011
One-Hundredth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date:
__________________
From: Robert J. Marchant, Senate Chief Clerk.
Mr. Speaker:
I am directed to inform you that the Senate has
Passed and asks concurrence in:
Senate Joint Resolution
3
__________________
Senate Joint Resolution 3
Relating to: commending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team for winning a third national championship.
By
Senators
T. Cullen and Kedzie; cosponsored by Representatives Wynn and Nass.
To committee on Rules.
__________________
Speaker's Communications
DATE: February 10, 2011
TO: Patrick E. Fuller, Assembly Chief Clerk
FROM: Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald
RE: Committee on Homeland Security and State
Affairs Removal
Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald has removed Representative Joel Kleefisch from the Committee on Homeland Security and State Affairs.
Representative Kleefisch has not yet been replaced.
__________________
Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
February 10, 2011
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
In response to a complaint reported to the Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline established by
2007 Wisconsin Act 126, we have completed a limited-scope review of the Wisconsin Technical College System's (WTCS's) Workforce Advancement Training grant program. The program was created in
2005 Wisconsin Act 25 to help address training needs of Wisconsin businesses and enhance skills of the workforce. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of controls over the use of program funds.
From the program's inception through the end of the current biennium, in June 2011, $14.9 million in general purpose revenue has been appropriated for short-term customized training services provided by the technical college districts. According to an October 2010 report released by WTCS, 352 training grants were awarded from July 2007 through June 2010, which the districts reported using to train approximately 37,900 employees in businesses statewide.
We reviewed both the process WTCS uses to solicit, review, award, and monitor grants and 34 grant files from 4 of the 16 districts: Fox Valley Technical College, Waukesha County Technical College, Northcentral Technical College, and Madison Area Technical College (Madison College). We found that WTCS has established a competitive process to review districts' grant applications and has complied with these procedures in making awards to districts. However, we are concerned that districts have received reimbursement for costs not actually incurred and note that districts have had difficulty spending all available program funding. If the Legislature approves the continued program funding requested for the 2011-13 biennium, WTCS could take steps to ensure funds are used effectively and efficiently.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by WTCS and district staff in conducting this review.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
