Thursday, August 28, 1996
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date:
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Executive Communications
August 26, 1996
Mr. Charles R. Sanders
Assembly Chief Clerk
One East Main Street, Suite 402
Madison, WI 53703
Dear Mr. Sanders:
I am pleased to transmit the attached Stripper XVII Low Income Energy Assistance Oil Overcharge Plan for consideration by the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF). As required by Wisconsin Statute 14.065, I am also forwarding a copy to the Chief Clerk of the Senate.
In response to cuts in Federal funding for Wisconsin's Low Income Home Energy and Weatherization Assistance Programs, on April 16, 1996, the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) concurred with my direction to the Department of Administration "to coordinate a thorough exploration of alternatives aimed at achieving a more sustainable low income funding strategy that will continue to meet the needs of Wisconsin as Federal funding declines."
The Committee set-aside $100,000 of Oil Overcharge funds in unallotted reserve for planning purposes and left $900,000 unallocated. This Plan proposes to commit that $1.0 million, plus additional Oil Overcharge funds to implement low income energy assistance pilot programs and for administering other energy efficiency/conservation initiatives. The low income energy assistance initiatives continue Wisconsin's aggressive and innovative approach to assist our most needy residents.
A total of $1.265 million of Stripper monies, plus interest is recommended. I urge your support of this Plan. The Department of Administration staff will be available to provide additional information that may be required.
Sincerely,
Tommy G. Thompson
Governor
Referred to committee on Environment and Utilities.
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Referral of AgeNcy Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Commerce
Madison
August 2, 1996
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
In accordance with s.
234.65 (5), the Department of Development is required to provide a report addressing the effects of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority's (WHEDA) lending activities on the state's economic development.
I am respectfully submitting the attached WHEDA Report for loans closed in 1995 in the manner provided in section 13.172(3), Wisconsin Statutes. If you have any questions concerning the report or would like to obtain copies, please contact Bev Haberman in our Division of Administrative Services, Bureau of Policy and Budget Development at 608/267-6876.
Sincerely,
William J. McCoshen
Secretary, Department of Commerce
Referred to committee on Housing.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Madison
August 5, 1996
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
A1197
Chapter 34, Laws of 1979, requires that when the Department of Administration maintains an office in Washington, DC, for the purpose of promoting federal/state cooperation, it should submit a report detailing the activities of the office and reporting the status of federal legislation of concern to the Legislature and to other state agencies (Wis. Stats. 16.548(2)).
The report for the period April 1, 1996, through June 30, 1996, is attached.
Sincerely,
James R. Klauser
Secretary, DOA
Referred to special committee on State-Federal Relations.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Workforce Development
Madison
August 13, 1996
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
RE: Report of Alleged Worker's Compensation Fraud, Section
102.125, Wis. Stats.
The purpose of this letter is to report to the Governor and Legislature regarding allegations of worker's compensation fraud reported to the Department of Workforce Development. This is the second annual report.
1993 Wisconsin Act 81 created s.
102.125, Wis. Stats., effective January 1, 1994. It requires the Department to record allegations of worker's compensation fraud, and if there is a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of s.
943.395, Stats., [insurance fraud] has occurred, to refer the case for prosecution by the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred. It also requires the Department to report annually to the Governor and Legislature regarding the number of allegations and referrals, and the results of the referrals.
Attachment 1 is a copy of ss.
102.125 and
943.395, Stats.
This report shows that the program has achieved remarkable success in fairly and efficiently enforcing the law. These admirable achievements are founded on close partnerships with insurance carriers, prosecutors, and the employer community.
Sincerely,
Richard Wegner
Acting Secretary, DWD
Referred to committee on Labor and Employment.
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AgeNcy Reports
State of Wisconsin
State Historical Society
Madison
August 6, 1996
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
I'm pleased to send you the initial report from the Electronic Records Program at the State Historical Society. The State Legislature established the program with a special appropriation in 1994.
The report describes what the Program staff accomplished in its first year of work. Let me relate a few particularly interesting discoveries from its investigations:
