Senate Bill 137
Relating to: making companies that hire persons who are not legally in the United States ineligible for certain tax exemptions, governmental contracts, grants, and loans, granting rule-making authority, and providing penalties.
By
Senators
Hansen, Wirch, Holperin, Erpenbach and Carpenter; cosponsored by Representative Staskunas
.
To committee on Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs.
__________________
The committee on Natural Resources and Environment reports and recommends:
Senate Bill 110
Relating to: ambient air quality standards established by the Department of Natural Resources and the suspension of a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
No recommendation pursuant to s.
227.19 (6)(b), Wisconsin Statutes.
Senate Bill 111
Relating to: the regulation of indirect sources of air pollution and the suspension of a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources.
No recommendation pursuant to s.
227.19 (6)(b), Wisconsin Statutes.
Neal Kedzie
Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
June
27
, 2011
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following bill(s), originating in the Senate, have been approved, signed and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State:
Bill Number Act Number
Date Approved
Senate Bill 26
Act 30
June 24
, 2011
Senate Bill 54
Act 31
June 24
, 2011
Sincerely,
SCOTT WALKER
Governor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 10, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
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As required by s.
13.94(1)(dm), Wis. Stats., we have completed our annual financial audit of State Fair Park. We issued an unqualified opinion on the financial statements State Fair Park prepared for fiscal year (FY) 2009-10, and we have continued to monitor efforts to improve its financial performance.
In FY 2009-10, State Fair Park's operating revenue exceeded expenditures by $1.6 million on a cash basis, largely because of positive operating results generated by the Wisconsin Exposition Center. These results, along with $1.4 million in one-time funding received as part of the December 2009 acquisition of the Wisconsin Exposition Center, allowed State Fair Park to reduce the cash deficit in its program revenue operating appropriation to $4.6 million as of June 30, 2010.
State Fair Park has begun to take steps to address concerns we raised in our prior audit regarding inadequate policies and procedures governing in-kind support, such as equipment or advertising, that it solicits from businesses in exchange for tickets to the Wisconsin State Fair and advertising exposure on the fairgrounds. However, because necessary changes were not fully implemented during FY 2009-10, we continue to report this weakness in internal controls, along with another financial reporting concern, in the Report on Internal Control and Compliance included in this report.
Finally, we note that operations of the Wisconsin Exposition Center, debt service payments related to the Exposition Center and the Pettit National Ice Center, and a continuing legal
dispute with a former racetrack promoter may affect State Fair Park's financial condition in the future and will warrant close attention by management and staff.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff of State Fair Park. A response from the Chief Executive Officer follows the appendix.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 16, 2011
The Honorable, The Legislature:
At the request of the Department of Workforce Development and to meet our audit responsibilities under s.
13.94, Wis. Stats., we have audited the financial statements of the State of Wisconsin Unemployment Reserve Fund. It funds regular unemployment benefits paid to eligible individuals and is funded primarily through taxes paid by employers. During the period we reviewed, certain other benefits funded by the federal government, including extended and emergency unemployment benefits, were also paid. This audit report contains our unqualified opinion on the Unemployment Reserve Fund's financial statements and related notes for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.
In the past ten years, the Fund's balance has declined from a high of $1.9 billion as of June 30, 2000, to a deficit in the amount of ($920.4 million) as of June 30, 2010. As its reserves have been depleted, the Fund has borrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits to eligible individuals. The balance owed to the federal government as of May 31, 2011, was $1.3 billion plus an additional $25.4 million in interest accrued on the loan as of that date.
Accompanying the financial statements is the Schedule of Cash Balance Related to Taxable Employers, which is used to determine the tax rate paid by employers. Section
108.18(3m), Wis. Stats., requires the highest tax rate schedule to be applied when the Fund's cash balance as of June 30 is less than $300 million. Consequently, the highest of four tax rate schedules is being applied in calendar year 2011.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Workforce Development staff in completing the audit.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Joint Legislative Council
June 21, 2011
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to transmit to you the following reports to the 2011 Legislature on legislation introduced by the Joint Legislative Council as well as activities of its committees:
•RL 2011-01 Special Committee on Strategic Job
Creation.
•RL 2011-03 Special Committee on Review of Higher
Education Financial Aid Program (2011 Assembly Bill 141, 142, 143 and 144).
•RL 2011-04 Special Committee on Local Service
Consolidation (2011 Assembly Bills 138, 139 and 140; and 2011 Assembly Joint Resolution 41).
• RL 2011-06 Special Committee on Review of Spousal
Maintenance Awards in Divorce Proceedings (2011 Assembly Bill 134).
I would appreciated your including this letter in the Journal for the information of the membership. Additional copies of these reports are available at the Legislative Council Staff offices, One East Main, Suite 401, or from our web page at
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/.
Sincerely,
terry c. anderson
Director
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Government Accountability Board
June 28, 2011
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 2011-2012 session of the legislature, visit the Government Accountability Board's web site at
http://gab.wi.gov/.
Kussow, Michelle Momentum Insurance Plans,
Inc.
Scholz, Brandon Momentum Insurance Plans,
Inc.
Walsh, Kenneth Computerized Vehicle
Registration
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Also available from the Wisconsin Government Accountability 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,
kevin kennedy
Director and General Counsel
__________________
Pursuant to Senate Rule 17 (5), Senator Taylor withdrawn as a coauthor of
Senate Joint Resolution 28
.
__________________
The committee on Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs reports and recommends:
Relating to licensure and certification requirements if licensed in another state or territory, approved instructors for educational programs and continuing education, examination requirements, rules of professional conduct, and "FIRREA" and AQB criteria.
No action taken.
Van Wanggaard
Chairperson
