Building Program
• Helps ensure an adequate number of dentists in Wisconsin by providing $16 million in general fund supported borrowing and private funds for expansion of the Marquette Dental School.
• Helps improve homeland security and coordination of law enforcement and intelligence data by providing $6.8 million for a Fusion Center at the Department of Military Affairs.
• Provides funding for educational facilities including the Horicon Marsh International Education Center. The Horicon Marsh is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance. The center provides educational experiences for scientists and visitors who come from around the world.
• Encourages fiscal responsibility by reducing previously authorized bonding for projects that have not moved forward or were constructed under budget.
• Directs the Department of Administration to use the proceeds from the sale of buildings to reduce outstanding debt whenever possible.
I have made 50 vetoes to the budget. These vetoes remove unnecessary reports and requirements, clarify program implementation timelines, and improve the intended focus of certain programs. These vetoes reduce spending by $10,000 SEG.
There were three items in the budget that I did not veto but that require additional clarification:
• The budget authorizes the Attorney General to allocate penalty surcharge revenues in support of prosecutor positions. I respectfully request that the Attorney General allocate a portion of these revenues in support of an existing drug crimes prosecutor position in St. Croix County. St. Croix County is one of the fastest growing areas of the state and continues to combat methamphetamine abuse.
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• The budget expands the current law prohibition on the use of government funds to pay for the performance of abortions to specifically include the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority. I feel strongly that taxpayer dollars should not support the performance of elective abortions. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for this provision to have the significant and unintended consequence of compromising the accreditation of the obstetrics and gynecology residency program operated by the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. In-state training programs are a critical component of averting a physician shortage, particularly in the urban and rural areas of the state, and it is essential that we retain and grow physician residency opportunities in Wisconsin.
I have thoroughly reviewed this provision and do not believe it would prohibit the hospital from meeting the accreditation standards. I encourage the hospital to take the steps necessary to meet the intent of this provision by ensuring tax dollars are not directly funding the performance of abortions, while maintaining the accreditation of this very important physician training program.
• Several months ago, I provided the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council with a proposal that would have increased the waiting period to receive benefits to one week and also would have revised Wisconsin law to allow the state to take advantage of extended unemployment benefits provided by the federal government. Unfortunately, the council did not act on either measure at that time. The Legislature acted on the first provision - requiring recipients of unemployment to wait one week before receiving their benefits. I applaud the Legislature for their decisive action on this issue. Recently, the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council voted unanimously in support of utilizing additional federal unemployment funds, a measure I fully support. I am now calling on lawmakers to act on the council's recommendation and modify Wisconsin laws to allow the state to take advantage of these additional federal funds.
I commend the leadership of the Legislature in maintaining its focus through some of the most difficult political discussions this state has ever faced. They improved on my budget and accomplished something few ever thought attainable - a structural surplus. Together, we are paying our bills and staying focused on job creation.
The budget I sign today reflects a return to Wisconsin's values. From Superior to Kenosha and from Green Bay to Platteville, we are independent-minded, moderate, pragmatic and frugal. This budget embraces those values by giving our local officials the tools to truly focus spending on delivering efficient and effective government services. Together we move forward with a stable government that has put its fiscal house in order so that its people can engage in private enterprise and create jobs that fuel our economy.
Sincerely,
Scott Walker
Governor
__________________
Veto Message
Table of Contents
A.
AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND JUSTICE
AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
1.
Agricultural Chemical Funds Report
2.
Grain Inspection Program Report
CORRECTIONS
3.
Inmate Litigation Loans
4.
Nursing Services Report
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND OFFICE OF STATE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS
5.
Pay Progression for Certain Attorneys
NATURAL RESOURCES
6.
Brownfield Site Assessment Grants
7.
Economic Impact Analysis
OFFICE OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE
8.
Report on Drug Offender Diversion Surcharge Fund
9.
Repeal of Traffic Stop Data Collection Requirements
SUPREME COURT
10.
Judicial Compensation Commission
B.
EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Children and Families
11.
Transitional Jobs Demonstration Project
12.
Local Child Support Enforcement
13.
Fingerprinting for Child Care Providers
14.
Rules Related to Child Care Subsidies for Children of Child Care Providers
15.
Child Care State Administration and Licensing
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
16.
Submission of Data for Choice Program Eligibility Determinations
University of Wisconsin System
17.
Approval for University of Wisconsin-Madison Employment Plans
18.
Annual Reporting of Contractual Service Procurements
19.
Joint Committee on Finance Authority to Postpone Telecommunications Services Prohibition
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20.
Review of Position Titles and Classifications
21.
Technical Correction to "Academic Faculty"
C.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION
22.
Include Certain Emergency Medical Service Providers in the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 Collective Bargaining Exemptions
23.
Modify Pay Provisions for City of Milwaukee Discharged or Suspended Police Officers
EMPLOYEE TRUST FUNDS
24.
Required Minimum Annual Contributions by Local Governmental Units to a Retirement System
25.
Wisconsin Retirement System Vesting Requirements
26.
Study of Group Insurance Board Health Insurance Options
27.
Payment of Employee-Required Contributions - Initial Applicability
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
28.
Statements of Economic Interest
D.
HEALTH SERVICES AND INSURANCE
HEALTH SERVICES
29.
Family Care Cost-Effectiveness Study
30.
Medicaid Family Planning Waiver Services
31.
Study on the Purchase of Generic Drugs for Medical Assistance
SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
32.
Bail Bond Surety Licensing
33.
Unclassified Bureau Director Position Authority
VETERANS AFFAIRS
34.
Chippewa Falls Veterans Home Cost-Benefit Analysis
35.
Veterans Trust Fund Information
36.
Military Funeral Honors Funding – Technical Veto
E.
STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
ADMINISTRATION
37.
Disclosure of Expenditures on Internet Web Site
38.
Base Budget Review
39.
Report on Surplus Positions
40.
Procurement Bid Threshold
41.
Build and Lease Back Program
42.
Energy Efficiency Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems Study
F.
TAX, TRANSPORTATION AND OPERATIONS
REVENUE
43.
Weight-Based Taxation for Moist Snuff Tobacco Products
44.
Sharing of Loss Carry-Forwards under the Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Incurred Before 2009
45.
County and Municipal Levy Limits
46.
Property Tax Exemption for Certain University of Wisconsin–Madison Student Housing Facilities