This section requires the Department of Transportation to create a joint legislative-executive branch committee to study transportation financing. The committee will consist of three members appointed by the Department of Transportation Secretary and one member each appointed by the majority and minority leaders of each house. The committee is charged with making findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding revenue sources for transportation, the impact of different tax rates of states on border area retailers, and state and local revenue sources for mass transit and alternative funding formulas for mass transit aid.
I am partially vetoing this section to remove the July 1, 1996 deadline for submitting the report because I believe the committee will need more time to address these significant issues. Instead, I am requesting the committee to submit its report by December 1, 1996. I fully support this effort and look forward to receiving the proposals of the committee.
4. Tax Exemption for Railroad Rolling Stock
Sections 40t, 40u, 40v, 40w, 40x, 9348 (3xg) and 9448
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These sections establish an exemption from the state utility tax for railroad rolling stock, beginning with taxes paid in May 1997. I am vetoing these provisions because, while I remain fully committed to a thriving rail transportation sector, I do not believe an exemption from state utility taxes is appropriate in this case and may establish a poor precedent for other economic sectors. My continuing commitment to rail programs is evidenced by the funding allocated from the transportation fund for freight rail service preservation, freight rail infrastructure improvement loans, rail crossing improvement and maintenance aid and other rail-highway crossing programs. Funding related to these and other rail programs is equivalent to the $10 million in transportation fund revenues received from the railroad industry. In future budgets, it is my intention that this revenue, including proceeds from the utility tax for railroad rolling stock, continue to be used for rail development and rail crossing programs.
I recognize the economic needs associated with rebuilding the railroad industry in our state and nation. In keeping with the goal of enhancing the viability of the rail transportation sector, I am requesting the Department of Transportation Secretary and the Department of Revenue Secretary to form a study committee consisting of rail industry and shipping representatives and state agency administrators and staff to review taxes on railroads and the level of state support for rail programs. This committee should make recommendations regarding any modifications and enhancements necessary to address the competitiveness of the railroad industry.
5. High-Cost Bridge Program
Section 56m
This section defines a high-cost bridge and requires DOT to administer a program for rehabilitating these bridges. DOT is prevented from encumbering funding in an amount that is less than the amounts listed for each of the next 4 fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1995-96 without approval of the Joint Committee on Finance under a 14 day passive review process.
I am vetoing this provision because it limits the department's flexibility to address programmatic needs. The department must be able to react quickly to rehabilitation needs on the state trunk highway system, including roadways and bridges. Earmarking funds for specific elements of the system sets a poor precedent and ignores the need for maintaining and rehabilitating a functional system of highways and bridges.
6. Commuter Rail Study
Section 9155 (3tx)
This provision requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a study on the feasibility of extending commuter rail service between the cities of Beloit and Janesville and the state of Illinois. DOT is required to submit a report summarizing its findings and recommendations no later than July 1, 1996.
I am partially vetoing this section to remove the requirement that DOT complete this study by July 1, 1996 because the department may need additional time to complete a study of this magnitude. Instead, I am requesting the Department of Transportation Secretary to complete the study by December 31, 1996.
7. Fencing, Farm Crossing and Cattle Guard Costs
Section 9146 (1)
Section 9146 (1) directs the Commissioner of Railroads to develop a plan for phasing in state reimbursement of 100 percent of the costs incurred by railroads for fencing, farm crossings, and cattle guards.
I am partially vetoing this provision to eliminate the requirement that the plan include state reimbursement of 100 percent of these costs because it limits the Commissioner's flexibility in fashioning a reasonable and effective plan. The findings and conclusions of the Commissioner's study may determine that this level of reimbursement is not commensurate with the responsibilities of taxpayers in this area. This veto ensures that the Commissioner can review the full spectrum of reimbursement options.
8. High-Speed Rail Study
Section 57mm
The provision allocates $250,000 in each fiscal year of the 1995-97 biennium from the DOT appropriation for multimodal transportation studies to fund a study of high-speed rail service in the southern transportation corridor between Wisconsin and Minnesota. DOT may not expend funds for this study unless matching funds are received from Minnesota and the federal government.
I am partially vetoing this section to eliminate the allocation and source of funding for the study because it limits the department's flexibility in using this funding for other multimodal studies in the event that Minnesota and the federal government do not provide the required match. DOT is still required to perform and partially fund the study if funding from Minnesota and the federal government becomes available.
9. Compensation for Displacement of Outdoor Advertising
Section 9155 (6y)
Section 9155 (6y) directs the Department of Transportation to work with the Outdoor Advertising Association and other affected parties to establish a sign relocation cost schedule that reimburses sign owners at a mutually agreeable rate. DOT is required to submit the payment schedule to the Joint Committee on Finance by January 1, 1996.
I am partially vetoing this provision to remove the January 1, 1996 deadline because the department will need additional time to complete the required review process. In lieu of this date, I am requesting the Department of Transportation Secretary to submit a proposed payment schedule to the Joint Committee on Finance for review and approval by May 1, 1996.
10. Transportation Economic Assistance Grants -- Technical Correction
Section 9355 (9j)
Section 9355 (9j) refers to the initial date of applicability for a change to the transportation economic facilities assistance and development program that no longer exists in the bill.
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I am vetoing this section in order to correct a technical drafting error.
11. Transit Aid to Small Cities -- Technical Correction
Section 63m
This section creates a five-tier formula for distributing state aid for local transit systems. Separate appropriations are established for each tier and determine different aid levels for each. Under s.
85.20 (4m) (a) 5.a., a formula is established for mass transit systems operating within an urbanized area of less than 50,000 in population. I am partially vetoing this section because no definition exists for a mass transit system in an urbanized area having a population under 50,000 people. Furthermore, there is no such federal transit aid category (the federal government defines areas having a population under 50,000 as "nonurbanized" areas).
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Communications
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
Madison
To Whom It May Concern:
Acts, Joint Resolutions and Resolutions deposited in this office have been numbered and published as follows:
Bill Number Act Number Publication Date
Assembly Bill 61781December 7, 1995
Assembly Bill 67782November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 67883November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 67984November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 68085November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 68186November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 68287November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 68388November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 68489November 24, 1995
Assembly Bill 49897December 10, 1995
Sincerely,
Douglas La Follette
Secretary of State
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December 6, 1995
Representative Luther Olsen
9 West, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
Dear Government Operations member:
Based on the action in committee today regarding Senate Joint Resolution 27, I hereby appoint a subcommittee of Vice-chair Olsen (Chair of subcommittee), Representative Powers, Representative La Fave (ranking minority member), and Representative Murat.
I empower the subcommittee to study the following issues surrounding SJR 27: clarify the removal section in regards to county treasurers and clerks as amended by the Senate, study the provision that restricts candidacy in regards to forced resignation from office, and study the division of offices in regards to elections in the years 2000 and 2002.
I request that you stay within the confines of Section 4/Article 6, Section 12/Article 7, and Section 1/
Article 13 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
As an added task of the subcommittee, I request that you study the possibility of a committee bill to recommend increased term lengths for members of the Legislature. I do not believe this would include other local elections outside of the Constitution.
I ask that you report back to the committee on or about January 15, 1996.
Thank you for your willingness to serve on the subcommittee, and I wish you luck in your endeavor.
Sincerely,
John Dobyns, Chair
Committee on Government Operations
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State of Wisconsin
Joint Legislative Council
Madison
December 8, 1995
Mr. Charles Sanders
Assembly Chief Clerk
1 East Main Street, Suite 402
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Charlie:
I am pleased to transmit to you the following report to the 1995 Legislature on legislation introduced by the Joint Legislative Council:
RL 95-5 Legislation on Emergency Government Services
(1995 Senate Bills 418 and 419)
I would appreciate your including this letter in the Journal for the information of the membership. Additional copies of this report are available, on request, in the Legislative Council Staff offices, One East Main, Suite 401.
Sincerely,
David J. Stute
Director
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Corrections
Madison
November 9, 1995
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Attached is the first quarter report on Prison Industries for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, as required by Section
303.019 of the Wisconsin Statutes. This report includes the year-to-date cash balance of each industry.
Prison Industries had a cash deficit of $2.6 million through the second quarter ending September 30, 1995. During each fiscal year Prison Industries purchases substantial inventory during the first quarter. The actual cash expenditure for the time period was $4,862,195, and includes $685,000 in expenditures related to the previous fiscal year. The $685,000 expenditure carryover was authorized at a meeting of Joint Finance on October 27, 1995.
Revenues for the same period were $2,241,998. Prison Industries believes they have adequate fixed assets, inventories and receivables to cover the overdraft.
